Keepers of the Underworld May 2011 by Keepers Of The Underworld Magzine

ISSUE 11

Contents:

Page:

Welcome Events for May Humor Crafts and Rituals Meditation Knowledge and Principals Natures Witch Poetry Featured Stories Personal Journeys Wisdom on a whim Witches Rant Lady Pandora's Movie Review The Cheshire mad book reviews Recipes Around the Ning Verse Keepers Member Articles Keeper of the Realms Featured Members of the Month Keeper of the Realm's Featured Groups Pagan UnderWorld Member Articles Pagan UnderWorld Featured Member Of The Month Pagan UnderWorld Featured Groups Shadow of the Black Rose Articles Shadow of the Black Rose Featured Groups

4 5 16 21 34 59 63 73 79 88 91 92 94 96 98 102 104 121 123 126 144 147 149 173

This Months Horoscopes And Chinese Astrology Tarot of The Month Other Great Sites Metal shows Events Pandora's Music Box Tool Queens Fetish Balls and Events Fetish Article's

176 211 215 216 230 233 238

Welcome my friends to Keepers of the the UnderWorld Magazine! As always we bring you the best of the best. And always bring you new things, this month we are pleased to announce new and exciting articles for you to enjoy. We have a witches rant, for the witches who need to rant you know we all have a rant in us. We will also be bringing you music reviews for the latest bands, and new and upcoming bands. And as always we have our wonderful recipes events and concerts. And for those who love the whips and chains we have the upcoming events in your area. And from all of us to all of you thank you for making Keepers of the UnderWorld a hit and we will keep bringing you new and exciting things. If you want to see your words in print just send them to Sweet Dark Angel or Andrew Rutledge. Oh and to all the mothers have a wonderful Mothers day and make sure you get treated like the queens we are.

Moon Phases New Moon

5/3/11

First Quarter 5/10/11 Full Moon

5/17/11

Last Quarter 5/24/11

Beltane May 1st

The Return of the Sun Beltaine is an anglicization of the Irish "Bealtaine" or the Scottish "Bealtuinn." While "tene" clearly means "fire," nobody really knows whether Bel refers to Belenus, a pastoral god of the Gauls, or is from "bel," simply meaning "brilliant." It might even derive from "bil tene" or "lucky fire" because to jump between two Beltane fires was sure to bring good fortune, health to your livestock, and prosperity. When the Druids and their successors raised the Beltaine fires on hilltops throughout the British Isles on May Eve, they were performing a real act of magic, for the fires were lit in order to bring the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light down to earth. In Scotland, every fire in the household was extinguished, and the great fires were lit from the need-fire which was kindled by 3 times 3 men using wood from the nine sacred trees. When the wood burst into flames, it proclaimed the triumph of the light over the dark half of the year. Then the whole hillside came alive as people thrust brands into the newly roaring flames and whirled them about their heads in imitation of the circling of the sun. If any man there was planning a long journey or dangerous undertaking, he leaped backwards and forwards three times through the fire for luck. As the fire sunk low, the girls jumped across it to procure good husbands; pregnant women stepped through it to ensure an easy birth, and children were also carried across the smoldering ashes. When the fire died down, the embers were thrown among the sprouting crops to protect them, while each household carried some back to kindle a new fire in their hearth. When the sun rose that dawn, those who had

stayed up to watch it might see it whirl three times upon the horizon before leaping up in all its summer glory. The Rites of Spring Beltaine was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood. In the morning, they would return to the village bearing huge budding boughs of hawthorn (the may-tree) and other spring flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families, and their houses. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. In every village, the maypole—usually a birch or ash pole—was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Festivities were led by the May Queen and her consort, the King who was sometimes Jack-in-the-Green, or the Green Man, the old god of the wildwood. They were borne in state through the village in a cart covered with flowers and enthroned in a leafy arbor as the divine couple whose unity symbolized the sacred marriage of earth and sun. To Celebrate Beltaine Today Arise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful; the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets. If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and cast it into stream, lake or river to bless the water spirits. Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill, then give it to one in need of caring, such as an elderly friend. Beltaine is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them. Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck—but make sure you tie up long skirts first! Make a May bowl —wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked—and drink with the one you love.

Mother's Day May 8th Mother's day is on the 8th let us take time and let our mother's know how much they mean to us & how spacial they are to us. for no one truly love's us more than our mother's who brought us into this world and nourished and gave us unconditional love each minute of our live's. So to all you Mother's out there We would like to wish you all a Very Happy Mother's day and know we cherish and love each and every one of you!!!

Victoria Day May 23rd

Victoria Day (in French: FĂŞte de la Reine) is a federal Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24, in honour of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday. It is sometimes informally considered as marking the beginning of the summer season in Canada. The holiday has been observed since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign's actual birthday, and continues to be

celebrated in various fashions across the country on the fixed date. Royal salutes (21-gun salutes) are fired in each provincial capital and in the national capital at noon on Victoria Day. In Quebec, the same day was, since the Quiet Revolution, unofficially known as FĂŞte de Dollard until 2003, when provincial legislation officially named the same date as Victoria Day the National Patriots' Day.

Memorial Day May 30th

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end. Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family get-togethers, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

Awareness For the Month of May

May 2011 Health Current Events - Months Awareness Coverage Related Event Organization Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Canada

Multiple Sclerosis Society Of Canada

Huntington's Disease Awareness Month

Canada

Huntington Society of Canada

National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

United Kingdom

National Osteoporosis Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Month

United Kingdom

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

National Stroke Awareness Month

United States

National Stroke Association

Melanoma/Ski United States n Cancer Detection & Prevention Month

American Academy of Dermatology

National Arthritis Month

United States

Arthritis Foundation

Better Sleep Month

United States

Better Sleep Council

National Mental Health Month

United States

Mental Health America

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

United States

Allergy Foundation of America

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

United States

Dept. Health & Human Services

Better United States Hearing and Speech Month

American Speech-Langu age-Hearing Association

National Lupus Awareness Month

United States

Lupus Foundation of America

National Cancer Research Month

United States

AACR

Correct Posture Month

United States

American Chiropractic Association

National United States Neurofibroma tosis Month

The Children's Tumor Foundation

Hepatitis Awareness Month

Hepatitis Foundation International

Worldwide

Lyme Disease Worldwide Awareness Month

The Lyme Disease Foundation

May 2011 Health Current Events - Weeks

Event

Date

Nation

Organization

Dystonia Awareness Week

4th May 11th May

Worldwide

The Dystonia Society

Brain Tumor Action Week

4th May 10th May

United States

National Brain Tumor Society

M.E. Awareness Week

5th May 11th May

United Kingdom

Action for M.E.

National Nurses Week

6th May 12th May

United States

american Nurses Association

Coeliac Awareness Week

10th May 16th May

United Kingdom

Coeliac UK

National Breast-feedin g Week

11th May 17th May

United Kingdom

NHS Breast-feedin g

National MS Week

13th May 29th May

United Kingdom

National MS Society

National Epilepsy Week

18th May 24th May

United Kingdom

Epilepsy Action

National Allergy Week

19th May 23rd May

United Kingdom

British Allergy Foundation

Hepatitis C Awareness Week

19th May 24th May

Australia

Hepatitis C Council of Victoria

Hepatitis Awareness Week

19th May 26th May

Australia

Hepatitis Australia

Kidney Health 24th May Week 31st May

Australia

Kidney Health Australia

Tick Alert Week

United Kingdom

Tick Alert

25th May 31st May

May 2011 Health Events - Days Event Date Nation Melanoma Monday

5th May

Organization

United States

American Academy of Dermatology

World Asthma 6th May Day

Worldwide

Global Initiative for Asthma

World Red Cross Day

8th May

Worldwide

Red Cross

World Lupus Day

10th May

Worldwide

World Lupus Day

Int. CFS Awareness Day

12th May

Worldwide

CFIDS Association of America

Australia?s Biggest Morning Tea

22nd May

Australia

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

World No Tobacco Day

31st May

Worldwide

WHO Tobacco Free Initiative

NEVER WAX YOUR HOO-HA All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The Epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now...the wax. Read on.......... My night began as any other normal weeknight. Fix dinner, watch the grand kids come and go. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: 'Maybe I should get the waxing kit from the medicine cabinet. So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those 'cold wax' kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!) So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other

stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ('Cold wax,' yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the family, I sneak back into the bathroom for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my granny panties and place one foot on the toilet.. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my hoo-ha and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (it was a long strip). I inhale deeply and brace myself.... RRRRIIIPPP!!!! I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!..... OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP! Another deep breath and RIPP! Everything is spinning and spotted. I think I may pass out.... I must stay conscious... I must stay conscious. Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe.... OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one that has caused me so

much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip... it's not! I touch.. I am touching wax. I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake ... remember my foot is still propped upon the toilet? So I put my foot down. Sealed shut! My butt is sealed shut. Sealed shut! I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself 'Please don't let me get the urge to poop.. My head may pop off!' What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand in the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right ??? *WRONG!!!!!!!*

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together, is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub.... in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, does not melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cemented myself to the porcelain!! God bless the AT&T man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter. 'So, my butt and hoo-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!' There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, 'Are we talking cheeks or hoo-ha?' She's laughing out loud by now ... I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions, I resort to trying to scrape the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better than to have your girlie goodies

covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event. My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace..... the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!! The scream probably woke the family and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, but I really don't care. 'IT WORKS!! I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....THE HAIR IS STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT! So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point. Next week I'm going to try hair color......how bad can that turn out???

Mother's Day Crafts

What you'll need: • • • • • • •

Paper plate Construction paper: pink, yellow, purple, green, light blue Black marker Pen or pencil Scissors Glue stick Pattern

How to make it: 1. Fold paper plate in half. Fold a sheet of light blue construction paper in half and place folded paper plate on to the paper. Trace around the plate and set aside. (See photo.) 2. Print out flower pattern. Trace pattern onto yellow, pink, and purple

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

construction paper. Cut out flowers. Cut 3 strips of green paper, ½" x 4". (See photo.) Glue stems and flowers to the folded paper plate. Trim stems. (See photo.) Use black marker to write "m o m" on the flowers, one letter on each flower. (See photo.) Take the folded blue paper with the paper plate outline and draw a curvy line along the inside of the curved edge. (See photo.) Cut out the curvy piece, cutting through the folded paper, creating two identical pieces. (See photo.) Glue the blue curvy pieces to the outside of the front of the card and the bottom of the inside of the card. Let everything dry.

What you'll need: • • • • •

Plaster of Paris 1 cup measure Spoon Bowl Disposable pie plate

• Cookie sheet • Large red silk flower • Small colorful craft jewels

How to make it: 1. Place pie plate on cookie sheet. Keep the pie plate on the cookie sheet during the entire project as it will make it easier to move at the end. 2. Mix together the plaster of Paris according to the manufacturer's instructions on the package. (Approximately 1 cup of plaster of Paris with ½ cup tepid water in a bowl.) Stir with spoon until completely mixed. Pour plaster mixture into pie plate. (See photo.) 3. Place the silk flower into the wet plaster wherever you like. We placed ours off to the side. (See photo.) 4. Carefully place the craft jewels, one by one, onto the wet plaster. The easiest way to do this is to have a moist sponge or towel sitting next to you, and then touch your finger onto the towel then onto the top of the craft jewel. The jewel

will temporarily stick to your finger allowing you to place it in the plaster. (See photo.) 5. Don't worry if some sink or don't get placed correctly. Simply use a toothpick to push the jewel down or into place. 6. Carefully place the cookie sheet with the plaster creation in a safe place to dry overnight. 7. The next morning you can pop your plaster creation out of it pie plate mold. Place it on a cooling rack to allow it to dry completely. Allow a solid 24-48 hours of dry time.

Tips: 1. You may want to have kids wear gloves while doing this craft so they do not touch the plaster with their skin. 2. The small jewels can be too difficult for little ones. However, if you allow the plaster to dry partially, and use slightly bigger jewels, it will be easier for them to manipulate (with your help). 3. Plaster of Paris is available from craft supply and home improvement stores. 4. Craft jewels can be purchased in bulk or in small quantities and come in a variety of colors and shapes.

Herbal Amulets or Gris Gris Bags by Gossamer Wings

Herbal Magic - Amulet bags or Gris Gris Bags Herbal amulets, gris gris bags and sachets are small fabric bags filled with herbs and other fillings intended to achieve a particular magical goal. They are popular for protection and attracting positive influences into your life such as love, psychic ability, prosperity and the like. Amulet bags are constructed with ritual incorporating appropriate correspondences for the magical intent they are being created to

achieve.These correspondences include the time and day they are made, the color of the cloth used, and the herbs and other items often including crystals which are enclosed in the amulet. You will need to chose the contents based upon what you want to achieve with the amulet. See the section on Crystal Correspondences for choosing crystals, and see below for the herbs. Choose the color of the fabric based upon the Color Correspondences section and purchase a 1/4 yard piece of cloth in the appropriate color. If you have a quilting store nearby purchase a "fat quarter" as the fabric will be in a wider strip allowing more choice in the size and shape of the sachets. It's alright to use a print with shades of the correct color or other colors with complimentary meanings. You will need to cut a piece of the fabric to size. If you want to make a drawstring bag for your sachet cut a piece about 2-3 inches wide by 7-10 inches long. This allows for the fabric to be folded in half, meeting the printed or right sides together, with the unprinted or wrong side on the outside. You will also need a piece of cord for the drawstring about 10 inches long. If you want to make a simple sachet, cut a 3 inch square of fabric. Directions for making simple sachets and amulet bags follow. The sewing involved is minimal, you don't need a sewing machine, just a needle and thread. Directions for Making an Amulet Bag with a Drawstring Step one: Fold down about 3/4 inch at the top and bottom, cut ends to create the pocket for the drawstring. Stitch straight across at both ends. Step two: Fold fabric in half with wrong sides on the outside and right sides together.

Step three: Stitch along sides of bag, stopping at the stitching line for the drawstring pocket and allowing about a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step four: Turn the bag right side out. Using a 10 inch piece of matching rat tail cord, thread the cord through one side of the pocket, turn and come back through the other side. Knot the ends of the cord. Choosing the Herbs You may use the Herbal Correspondences section or the Planetary Correspondences section to determine the correct correspondences for your magical intent and to find the herbs that are appropriate to your magical intent. Look up the Planetary Correspondence for the intent and then find herbs that correspond to that planet in the tables of Herbal Correspondences. You may also use the following table which gives a list of herbs that are traditionally carried for a particular purpose. There are also recipes for herbal sachet blends following the table. Any herbs used should be consecrated to the magical intent using ritual done on the day and hour appropriate to the purpose. This adds immeasurably to the power of the amulet or sachet which should not be overlooked.

Herbs Carried for Various Magical Intents Magical Intent Herbs Chastity Camphor, Hawthorn, Lavender with Rosemary, Rue, Witch Hazel Courage Basil, Black Cohosh, Borage, Columbine, Iris, Mullein, Nettle with Yarrow, Poke, Sweet Pea, Tea, Thyme, Tonka, Wahoo, Yarrow Creativity Acorns, Beech, Lily, Mistletoe Employment Devil's Shoestring, Lucky Hand Fertility Acorns, Banana, Barley, Bistort, Brackenfern, Cuckoo Flower, Dates, Hawthorn, Hazelnuts, Horsetail, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Patchouli,

Pomegranate, Poppy Seeds, Wheat Fidelity Caraway, Cumin, Elder, Spikenard Friendship Love Seed, Passion Fruit, Sweet Pea, Yarrow Happiness Celandine, Chamomile, Hawthorn, High John the Conqueror, Jasmine, Marjoram, Motherwort, Savory, St. John's Wort, Thistle, Vervain Healing Angelica, Balm, Brackenfern, Calamus, Camphor, Carnation, Cinnamon, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Gardenia, Heliotrope, Hops, Lavender, Mimosa, Mint, Mugwort, Myrrh, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Rowan, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Spearmint, Thyme, Vervain, Willow, Wintergreen, Wood Sorrel Health and Longevity Acorn, Carnation, Cinquefoil, Cowslip, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Feverfew, Figwort, Garlic, Ginseng, Horse Chestnut, Lavender, Life Everlasting, Linden, Mint, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Myrtle, Nutmeg, Peach, Peony, Pine Cones, Rosemary, Rowan, Rue, Sage, St. John's Wort, Spikenard, Sumbul, Tansy, Thyme, Tonka, Vervain, Walnut, Wood Sorrel Legal Matters Buckthorn, Cascara, Celandine, Cinquefoil, Marigold, Skunk Cabbage Love Adam and Eve Roots, Apple Blossoms, Apricot, Ash, Aster, Balm, Balm of Gilead, Basil, Bedstraw, Belladonna, Betony, Black Snakeroot, Bloodroot, Brazil Nut, Capers, Cardamon, Catnip, Cedar, Chickweed, Cloves, Black Cohosh, Coltsfoot, Coriander, Cubeb, Daisy, Dogbane, Dutchman's Breeches, Elecampane, Elm, Eryngo, Gentian, Ginseng, Grains of Paradise, Henbane, Hibiscus, Hyacinth, Indian Paint Brush, Jasmine, Juniper, Lady's Mantle, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Licorice, Mallow, Meadow Rue, Meadowsweet, Mimosa, Mullein, Myrtle, Orange,

Orchids, Orris, Pansy, Patchouli, Pimento, Purslane, Quassia, Rose, Rosemary, Saffron, St. John's Wort, Southernwood, Spiderwort, Sumbul, Tamarind, Tonka, Tormentil, Valerian, Vervain, Vetivert, Violet, Willow, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yerba Mate Luck Daffodil, Devil's Bit, Devil's Shoestring, Frankincense, Galangal, Grains of Paradise, High John the Conqueror, Holly, Huckleberry, Irish Moss, Ivy, Job's Tears, Lotus, Lucky Hand, Male Fern, Meadow Rue, Nutmeg, Oak, Olive, Poppy Seeds, Purslane, Rose, Rowan, Snakeroot, Spikenard, Star Anise, Straw, Strawberry, Sumbul, Tonka, Trillium, Vetivert, Violet with Lavender Lust Acorn, Capers, Cattail, Damiana, Galangal, Ginseng, Grains of Paradise, Juniper Berries, Mugwort, Nettle, Patchouli, Rosemary, Saffron, Witch Grass, Yohimbe Power Cedar, Cinquefoil, Oak, Rowan Prophetic Dreams (Use in Sleep Pillow, see directions below.) Celandine, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Coltsfoot, Heliotrope, Hops, Jasmine, Lavender, Linden, Marigold, Mimosa, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Peppermint, St. John's Wort, Vervain, Wormwood Prosperity Alfalfa, Alkanet, Allspice, Almond, Banana, Basil, Bergamot, Bistort, Black Snakeroot, Blue Flag, Cascara, Cashew, Cedar, Cinquefoil, Galangal, Ginger, Ginseng, Grains of Paradise, Heliotrope, Honesty, Irish Moss, Oats, Orange, Oregon Grape, Patchouli, Pecans, Pineapple, Pipsissewa, Pomegranate, Poplar, Poppy Seeds, Sage, Sassafras, Snakeroot, Sweet Woodruff, Tea, Tonka, Trillium, Tulip, Vetivert, Wheat Protection Agrimony, Ague Root, Althea, Angelica, Bay, Beans, Betony, Bittersweet, Boneset, Brackenfern, Burdock, Caraway, Carnation, Castor, Cinchona, Cinnamon, Comfrey, Devil's Bit, Dogwood, Dragon's Blood, Ebony, Elder, Elecampane, Eryngo, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Frankincense,

Galangal, Garlic, High John the Conqueror, Horehound, Lady's Slipper, Larch, Leeks, Marjoram, Mint, Mistletoe, Motherwort, Mullein, Nettle, Nightshade, Oak, Peony, Pepper Tree, Rice, Rose, Rose Geranium, Rowan, Rue, Sloe, Holy Thistle, Toadflax, Tulip, Valerian, Vervain, Wax Plant, Willow, Wolf's Bane, Wormwood, Yerba Santa Psychic Powers Althea, Bladderwrack, Broom, Clary Sage, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Deerstongue, Eyebright, Galangal, Grass, Lavender, Linden, Mugwort, Juniper, Rowan, Thyme, Uva Ursi, Vervain, Wormwood, Yerba Santa Safe Travel Comfrey, Daffodil, Eryngo, Feverfew, Garlic, Heather, Irish Moss, Juniper, Mountain Mahogany, Mint, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Mullein, Oak, Pennyroyal, Quince Seeds, Rowan, Rue, Sweet Woodruff, Ti, Wormwood Spirituality Cinnamon, Frankincense, Iris, Yerba Santa, Wood Aloes Strength Bay, Betony, Carnation, Comfrey, Nettle, Pennyroyal, St. John's Wort, Sweet Woodruff, Tea, Thistle Success Balm, Cinquefoil, Fennel, Frankincense, Ginger, High John the Conqueror, Horse Chestnut, Lucky Hand, Oregon Grape, Pennyroyal, Rowan, Wahoo, Winter's Bark Wisdom and Mental Powers Bodhi, Cinquefoil, Dill, Eyebright, Hazelnuts, Horehound, Iris, Mace, Mustard Seed, Rue, Sage, Savory, Spearmint, Vanilla

Rituals Farmer's Almanac-May. by Fionn Skywatch: Saturn is now nicely up in the east at nightfall,glorious all night long.from the 10th-13th,35 minutes before sunrise,the residual planet party in Pisces is now more easily seen in southern locations:10 degrees high from Miami but a very low 4 degrees up from middle America.On the 21st,in the same predawn location,Venus,still fading,forms a challengingly low acute triangle with Mercury and dim Mars.The Moon passes a good distance below Saturn on the 13th,stands near Scorpius's famous orange star Antares on the night of the 16th,and,as a crescent,floats just above the five-planet grouping in the predawn east on the 30th. Moon phases: New Moon-3rd day. First Quarter-10th day. Full Flower-17th day. Last Quarter-24th day. Meteor shower: Name-Eta Aquarid. Best viewing-Predawn. Point of origin-Southwest. Range-April 19-May 28. Date of maximum-May 6th. No.per hour-10-60.

Moon phase-Crescent,sets at 11 p.m. Associated comet-Halley. Wiccan Full Moon ritual: Improve your intuition and creativity through contact with the spirit worlds.This is a time of cleansing and purification and a time to see the interacting harmony in all things. Birthstones: Who first beholds the light of day In spring's sweet,flowery month of May, And wear an Emerald all her life Shall be loved and happy wife. The Sun in the constellation:Taurus-May 15 to June 21. Three chilly Saints,May 11,12,13.

The Paradigms Of Magic By; Andrew

In magic we work w/ a number of magical objects, words such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;chargeâ&#x20AC;? & uncharged & talk about things such as storing power. In order to better understand such concepts, it would be a good idea to first take a look at the various models of magic of the past and present especially since this will also play a significant role when we later discuss the use of talismans & cyber magic. When ready keep in min that the categories listed here are merely meant to help illustrate our point & rarely occur in this simplified, pure form stated here- a mixture of the various forms is generally the rule.

The Spirit Model: Surely the oldest Paradigm of magic, we assume the existence of real super natural beings (spirits, demons, angel’s, helpers ect…) & the magician can communicate w/them, get to know them, become friends w/them, or submit themselves as servants to them. Hence a magician acts as a mediator between life on earth or everyday reality & the world beyond. This model is still characteristic of all types of Shamanism, mostly people base their opinions of magic on it as well. In western Europe this model enjoyed the greatest popularity during the renaissance, & still used by traditionalist magicians today. In this day of age it can be found in the magic of Bardon & Gragoruis while the entire Golden Dawn system & a great part of the O.T.O teachings are based on it as well just as is the majority of German occultism of the 1920’s. Master A. Crowley used a mixed form as we’ll see later on. In the spirit model the goal of the magician is to obtain access to the world of creatures that will be described here as “magical entities” This world has it’s own set of laws that the magician must learn in order to survive, & utilize the power & the entities. Each entity has it’s own name, formula & displays a specific, unmistakable character & can therefore be considered an individual personality that has strengths & weaknesses. With the help of trance, the magician travels to their realm where one can either make friends w/them or have them serve one’s self, provided that one has enough power & knowledge to do so, such relationships can be quite dangerous at times, since some spirits such as demons many not be all that eager to serve the magician &/or just might not like him/her. And they often charge a high price for their services which could require a blood sacrifices or something similar. A well known example of this is the pact that Dr Frost made w/the devil (selling one’s soul in return for material & intellectual success). Although the exact terms of such a pact are a matter of negotiation, there’s always the danger (just as w/humans) of a breach of contract, a new interpretation of the agreement, or other difficulties, so the magician needs to be continually alert- unless one only

works w/”good” spirits w/ integrity that one can trust completely. From what I have said above, it is clear that spiritualism (which originated in America in the mid 19th century) & is still popular all over the world today, now often called “channeling” (by new agers) is an excellent example of the spirit model, even though it generally focuses on divination & prayer instead of an actual magical operation. Once the magician has secured the assistance of one’s spirits/demons either w/a friendly pact or through force, one use it in magic the same way one would use the assistance of common human helpers as well. But since these entities are immaterial they can work on levels that common servants can not, such as the astral plane. Plus most spirits are specialist that are generally superior to magician in their field of expertise. For an example, a magician would summoning the mercury demon Taphtharath to achieve magical goals that related to the mercury sphere. While the Mars demon Bartzabel would be summoned to destroy an opponent or to learn the art of warfare. Or one could use a planetary intelligence such as Yophiel Jupiter sphere to improve ones state of property. The magician generally has certain spirits of one’s own that are specialized in certain areas (e.g.. Healing, making rain, protection, ect..) For an example instead of sending healing power to a sick person from a distance, the magician can send one’s spirit helper directly to the patient. Spirits and demons want attention or want to be “fed” & can rebel or demand a “Pay raise”. and there not infallible. Just because they’re experts doesn’t mean that they can not make mistakes or fail, but in general they can expand the magicians scope of actions considerably although the quality of ones magic depends on the amount of control one has over such spirits. So those are the basic concepts of the spirit model. It requires the magician to explore an already existing world, & to learn & follow it’s rules right down to the last detail. For example if one does not know the “true name” or the “correct formula” that gives power over such transcendental entities all of one’s efforts to gain control of them will be in vain. Even the means of communication w/ these entities or their magical language needs to be learned & much of this knowledge is guarded

secretly & only passed on directly for Master to apprentice. Therefore, thorough training is generally required, before magical operations can be performed. One last note on the spirit model & one that most donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even realize is a major part of it, & a very important one to the magician. When we take oaths and vows which is also a part of this model and one that opens us up to many of the things spoken in here, most just look at the vows & oaths as words said not what they really are and that is foundations set in the spirit model that opens us up to this world of theirs. Something for you to think on before you take your next vow or oath. The next model I will be covering well be The Energy Model.

Yoga Positions (continued...) 20. Pavana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mukta - asana Posture: Pavana-mukta-asana The Wind-releasing Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word pavana means air or wind and mukta means freedom or release, therefore this is the "wind relieving posture" so named because it assists in releasing trapped digestive gas from the stomach and intestines. Pronunciation: pa-vana mook-tah-sa-na Difficulty: (1) Instructions: 1. Inhale and bend the right knee and pull it close to the torso with both

hands while interlocking the fingers just below the knee. Keep the left leg flat on the floor. 2. Hold the inhaled breath for a few seconds then exhale slowly through the nostrils and lift the back, shoulders and head off the floor and touch the knee with the forehead. 3. Hold the exhaled breath for a few seconds then slowly inhale and return the back, shoulders and head to the floor. Remain holding the knee. 4. Hold the inhaled breath for a few seconds then exhale while bringing the right leg to the floor. 5. Lie flat on the back in the shava-asana for a few seconds then repeat beginning with the left leg. Comments: As mentioned above, practicing the purvana-mukta-asana will help to release gastrointestinal gas. It is also improves other gastrointestinal problems like upset stomachs and constipation by stimulating the abdominal region. Duration/Repetitions: Hold each of the four parts of this posture (corresponding with the held breaths) for three to five seconds each. Repeat the purvasa-mukta-asana three to five times on each side. 21. Sarvanga â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana: Posture: Sarvanga-asana The Shoulder-stand Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word sarvanga means limb or body. sarvanga therefore translates as either "all-limb" or "whole-body posture". It is so named because of the benefit it provides to the entire body. It is commonly referred to as the "shoulderstand"

because one is essentially standing on one's shoulders. Pronunciation: sar-vong-ah-sa-na Difficulty: (5) Instructions: 1. Lie flat on the back in the shava-asana. 2. Inhale through the nostrils. Place the palms face-down on the floor. Keeping the hips on the floor, bend the knees and bring them up toward the stomach while exhaling. 3. Inhale slowly through the nostrils, press down on the hands and lift the torso from the waist up off the floor, arching the spine backwards and straightening the arms. Keep the hips on the floor. 4. Inhale, then while exhaling, raise the legs straight up perpendicular to the floor. You may support your hips with your hands or leave the arms flat on the floor, whichever is most comfortable. 5. The legs should be together with the knees straight and toes pointed straight up. Keep the head straight without turning it to either side. The chin should be pressed against the chest. 6. Breath gently through the nostrils while the posture is held. 7. Reverse the steps to return to the shava-asana. Comments: The sarvanga-asana is considered by many to be the most beneficial of all yoga postures. Because of its many benefits, if you find that your time is limited in the course of Yoga practice at home, it is recommended to place special emphasis on the sarvanga-asana. When performed in the morning the sarvanga-asana relieves fatigue caused by sleeping too much or too little and when practiced in the evening it helps to promote deep, restful sleep. It strengthens the back and helps to relieve lower back pain. The increased blood flow to the head and upper body helps to heal many disorders such as headaches, nasal congestion and sore throats. The

entire endocrine, digestive, nervous, and venous systems of the body are stimulated in ways that no form of diet or conventional exercise can perform. Because the body is inverted a rich supply of oxygenated blood is sent to the organs and glands in the upper part of the body, such as the brain, thyroid and pituitary, and heart thereby stimulating them. Pressure is relieved from the lower body extremities relieving pain and/or swelling of the feet and legs. The sarvanga-asana also provides great benefit to the abdominal organs helping to relieve gas and constipation and stimulate digestion. Regular practice of this posture invigorates the mind and helps to calm the nervous system. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the sarvanga-asana anywhere from one to five minutes depending on comfort. Repeat the posture two or three times. Variations: There are two common variations to this posture. One is called the shalamba-sarvanga-asana. Sa means with and alamba means prop or support and refers to the use of the arms to support the legs and torso as they are inverted. The other variation is called the niralamba-sarvanga-sana. Nir means without and thus this variation is done without the support of the arms. 22. Shalabha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Locust Pose Posture: Shalabha-asana The Locust or Grasshopper Posture Translation: The Sanskrit word Shalabha means locust or grasshopper. There is a variation of this posture called the viparita-shalabhaasana. The Sanskrit word viparita means "reverse." This is an

advanced variation not covered here. Pronunciation: sha-la-bhah-sa-na Difficulty: (3) Instructions: 1. Lie on the stomach with the head turned to one side and the arms alongside the body with palms facing upward. 2. Turn the head and place your chin on the floor. Slide your hands under your thighs, with the palms pressed gently against the top of your thighs. 3. Inhale slowly and then raise the head, chest, and legs off the floor as high as possible. Tilt your head as far back as possible. Keep your feet, knees, and thighs pressed together. 4. Starting at the top of the head and working your way down to the feet, bring your attention to each part of your body, consciously relaxing it before proceeding on to the next. 5. Remain in the posture while holding the breath. You can support your legs by pressing the hands upward against your thighs. 6. Hold the posture for as long as you can hold the inhaled breath then slowly return the legs, chest, and head to the floor while exhaling. 7. Remove your hands from under your thighs and place the arms alongside your body. Turn your head to the side and rest. Comments: The shalabha-asana has many benefits. Besides strengthening the muscles of the upper legs and lower back, it stimulates the stomach and intestines helping to relieve gastrointestinal gas, strengthens the bladder, and stretches the spine. To assist raising the legs as high as possible keep the back of the hands resting against the floor while pushing the legs upward with the fingers. As you get better at this posture and increase the strength of you legs you

can raise the hands completely off the floor so your legs are raised unsupported. This increases the benefits of the shalabha-asana. Duration/Repetitions: Hold this posture for as long as you can hold the inhaled breath. Repeat the shalabha-asana three times. 23. Shava â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Corpse Pose: Posture: Shava-asana The Corpse Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word shava means corpse hence this is the Corpse. The shava-asana is also known as the mrta-asana. Pronunciation: sha-vah-sa-na Difficulty: (1) Instructions: 1. Lie flat on your back with your legs together but not touching, and your arms close to the body with the palms facing up. 2. Keep your eyes gently closed with the facial muscles relaxed and breath deeply and slowly through the nostrils. 3. Starting at the top of the head and working your way down to the feet, bring your attention to each part of your body, consciously relaxing it before proceeding on to the next. 4. Remain in the shava-asana for between 3 and 5 minutes or longer. If you become sleepy while in the shava-asana begin to breath a bit faster and deeper. Comments: While many consider this a simple posture at first, its simplicity eventually

proves to be deceiving. The goal of the shava-asana is for the body and mind to be perfectly still and relaxed. Not only should the body be motionless and at ease, but the mind as well should be quiet, like the surface of a still lake. The result will be a deep and stable relaxation that will extend into your meditation or be felt through the activities of your daily circumstances. It goes without saying that the shava-asana will take some time to perfect. You will find the simple exercise of focusing your attention on each part of your body and consciously directing the breath there to be a great help with this posture. There are two common obstacles that can prevent you from fully benefitting from this posture: sleepiness and a restless mind. If find yourself getting drowsy while in the shava-asana increase the rate and depth of your breathing. If your mind is restless or wondering focus your attention on all of the bodily sensations you're experiencing. Bring your mind to the sensation of the floor beneath you or on the rhythm of your breath. While practicing your Yoga-asana routine you should always begin and end each session with the shavaasana. Duration/Repetitions: We recommend that you begin your period of yoga-asana practice with at least 3-5 minutes of shavaasana. Return to it periodically thought your posture session to relax and rejuvenate the body/mind and then conclude your session with at least 3-5 minutes more 24. Siddha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Adept Pose: Posture: Siddha-asana The Accomplished or Adept Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word siddha means accomplished or adept, one

who has attained the highest. The name implies the attainment of a perfectly stilled mind and the experience of peace that results from meditation. The siddha-asana is a recommended pose for meditation. Pronunciation: sid-dhah-sa-na Difficulty: (2) Instructions: 1. Begin in a seated posture. Bend the left knee and grasp the left foot with both hands and place the heel against the perineum and the sole of the foot against the inside of the right thigh. 2. Exhale and reach down and loop the forefinger of the right hand around the big toe of the right foot and grasp the left foot with the left hand. 3. Bend the right knee, grasp the right foot with both hands and place the outside edge of the right foot where the calf and thigh of the left leg meet, right ankle over left ankle. The heel of the right foot should line up approximately with the navel and be as close to the pubic area as possible.. 4. With palms up, place the hands on the knees, form a circle with the thumb and forefinger and extend the remaining fingers straight ahead. Comments: The siddha-asana is complicated to describe but is actually one of the simpler sitting postures. It requires less flexibility of the legs than the padma-asana yet it facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately, meditation. Siddha-asana helps to establish an equilibrium throughout the body/mind. It will also help stretch the legs and pelvic area to the point where the padma-asana can be held effortlessly. Either posture, by creating a firm foundation with the legs locked in a crossed position and the spine held

straight and motionless, awakens the attention and helps cultivate concentration. When concentration is highly focused and undistracted, meditation follows. Duration/Repetitions: Sit in the siddha-asana for a minimum of 1 minute and extended the time up to ten minutes or more. 25. Simha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Lion Pose: Posture: Simha-asana - The Lion Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word simha which literally means "the powerful one" is the word for "lion." This, therefore is known as the lion posture, and one performing it can be said to resemble a roaring lion about to attack. Pronunciation: sin-gha-sa-na Difficulty: (2) Instructions: 1. Sit up on the knees with the heels of the feet pressed against the buttocks and the calves of the legs flat on the floor. 2. Place the balls of the hands on the knees, straighten the arms and keep the back erect and the head straight (not tilted forward, back, to the left or the right). 3. Inhale while leaning forward slightly, stretching the mouth the jaws as wide as possible, extend the tongue out and downward as much as possible, fix your gaze either at the tip of the nose or between the eyebrows and stretch the fingers straight out from the knees. 4. Hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath then exhale, relaxing the forward stretch, dropping the fingers to the knees and closing the mouth and eyes.

Comments: The simha-asana benefits parts of the body that most other asanas do not: the face, jaw, mouth, throat and tongue. Those who experience tightness or discomfort in the jaws such as teeth grinding, clenched jaws, a misaligned bite, etc. will benefit from both the jaw and tongue stretching of the simha-asana. This asana is also known to help prevent or cure sore throats. The muscles and tissues of the face are rejuvenated from the alternating stretching and release, an exercise they rarely get in the course of our everyday lives. The fixed gaze relieves tense or burning eyes and the stretched fingers benefits the hands and wrists. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the simha-asana for thirty to sixty seconds and repeat three to five times. Variation: Try roaring loudly like a lion as you enter into the Lion Pose while sticking your tongue out. This stimulates the throat and cultivates courage and fearlessness. Kids love to do it, shouldn't adults as well? 26. Sirsha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Head Stand Posture: Sirsha-asana - The Head-stand Translation: The Sanskrit word sirsha means head. This posture is the well-known headstand posture, and perhaps second only to the padma-asana or lotus posture, is widely identified with the practice of Yoga. Pronunciation: sir-shah-sa-na Difficulty: (7) Instructions: 1. Sit in a kneeling position with the buttocks resting on the heels of the

feet. 2. Lean forward and place the forearms on the floor in front while keeping the elbows about shoulder distance apart. Interlock the fingers of both hands. 3. Place the top of the head flat on the floor with the back of the head pressed against the inside of the interlocked fingers. 4. Placing the tips of the toes firmly on the floor while lifting the heels, raise the knees off the floor. 5. Hold for the duration of the held inhaled breath. When you can't hold the breath comfortable any longer, slowly exhale and return the back to the floor, slide the legs out straight returning to the shava-asana. Comments: The siddha-asana is complicated to describe but is actually one of the simpler sitting postures. It requires less flexibility of the legs than the padma-asana yet it facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately, meditation. Siddha-asana helps to establish an equilibrium throughout the body/mind. It will also help stretch the legs and pelvic area to the point where the padma-asana can be held effortlessly. Either posture, by creating a firm foundation with the legs locked in a crossed position and the spine held straight and motionless, awakens the attention and helps cultivate concentration. When concentration is highly focused and undistracted, meditation follows. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the sirsha-asana for 15-30 seconds when you first attempt it and increase the duration gradually over a period of a few weeks. As you skill increases you should hold it for as long as you feel comfortable. Cautions/Restrictions: If you are new to Yoga we recommend that you find a qualified instructor to teach you this posture and monitor you performance. If you attempting

this alone position yourself in front of a wall as mentioned above. If you are suffering from high or low blood pressure you should not attempt this posture. The sirsha-asana should not be performed by woman who are menstruating, as is the case with all inverted postures (where the legs are raise over the head). Variations: There are several variations to the sirsha-asana that you can try when you are comfortable with the standard variation. First try spreading your legs wide apart, carefully separating them very slowly, while maintaining your balance, until they are as far apart as is comfortable. Bring your legs together before returning from the posture. Next you can try placing the soles of your feet together while steadily holding the pose. 27. Tada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana - The mountain Pose Posture: Tada-asana - The Mountain Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word tada means mountain. This posture is also known by the name samasthiti-asana. Sama means unmoved, equilibrium, and sthiti means standing upright or firmly, abiding, remaining, thus samasthiti means standing firmly without moving. Pronunciation: ta-dah-sa-na Difficulty: (1) Instructions: 1. Stand with both feet touching from the heel to the big toe, keeping the back straight and the arms pressed slightly against the sides with palms facing inward. 2. Slightly tighten or flex the muscles in the knees, thighs, stomach and buttocks maintaining a firm posture. Balance you weight evenly on both feet.

3. Inhale through the nostrils and lift the buttocks off the legs arching the back and thrusting the abdomen forward and tilt the head as far back as possible. Comments: Many common ailments and discomforts can be traced to poor posture. If the spine is not properly aligned or if there is tightness or stiffness in the back, the result is often an imbalance in the body. When this imbalance becomes chronic many kinds of disorders arise in the organs, glands and nervous system. Performing the tada-asana allows one to observe one's posture closely and clearly recognize those problems which get masked or ignored by day-to-day activities. As the posture is held and the breath, mind and body is quieted various effects will surface to indicate difficulties with the spine. Favoring one foot over the other, shifting back and forth, drooped shoulders, tightness in the neck and upper or lower back, and various other physiological disturbances may appear indicating the need for further yoga practice. The proper execution and continual practice of the tada-asana along with other postures helps to re-train the body to stand correctly and reverse the negative effects of poor posture. When the tad-asana is performed properly and the mind is focused and free of distraction, the body is experienced as being rooted firmly to the earth and as steady and motionless as a mountain. Duration/Repetitions: One repetition for several minutes is advisable. The tada-asana is also recommended prior to and following any other standing posture. 28. Trikona â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Triangle Pose Posture: Trikona-asana - The Triangle Pose

Translation: The Sanskrit word tri means three and kona means corner or angle. Thus "three corner or three angle posture" is often called the triangle posture. This posture is also known as the utthita trikona-asana. Utthita means stretched or extended thus this is the Extended Triangle Pose. Pronunciation: tri-cone-ah-sa-na Difficulty: (3) Instructions: 1. Stand with the feet together and the arms by your sides (see the tada-asana). 2. Separate the feet slightly further than shoulder distance apart. 3. Inhale and raise both arms straight out from the shoulders parallel to the floor with the palms facing down. 4. Exhale slowly while turning the torso to the left, bend at the waist and bring the right hand down to the left ankle. The palm of the right hand is placed along the outside of the left ankle. The left arm should be extended upward. Both legs and arms are kept straight without bending the knees and elbows. 5. Turn the head upward to the left and gaze up at the fingertips of the left hand. Inhale and return to a standing position with the arms outstretched. 6. Hold this position for the duration of the exhaled breath. Exhale and repeat steps 4 - 6 on the opposite side. Comments: The trikona-asana is an excellent posture to do early in your routine. The forward bending and lifting stimulates blood flow and helps to stretch and relax the back, shoulders, legs and arms as well as increases the flow of blood to the head. The muscles of the thighs and calves as well as the hamstrings are stretched. The slight twist of the spine creates suppleness in the spinal discs and relieves lower back discomforts.

The posture can be held longer by breathing gently through the nostrils rather than holding the breath. Another variation is to perform the trikona-asana rapidly thereby giving it a slightly aerobic effect. Duration/Repetitions: Remain in the forward bending position for the duration of the exhale breath. Do two or three repetitions (one repetition consists of bending forward on both sides). 29. Ugra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Noble Pose Posture: Ugra-asana - The Noble Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word ugra means powerful, mighty, strong or noble. We usually keep this posture untranslated but it can be called the noble or powerful posture. Alternate name: Also known as the pascimottana-asana or the brahmacharyaasana. The word pascima can mean behind, later, last or final but it literally means "western" as in the direction. Pascimottana thus means back-stretching posture. Pronunciation: oo-grah-sa-na Difficulty: (4) Instructions: 1. Sit on the floor with the legs together and extended straight out in front. Keep the back straight, shoulders level and head straight. Place the hands, palms down, flat on top of the thighs then inhale deeply. 2. Exhale and extend the arms straight out in front, parallel with the floor with fingers pointed straight ahead and palms facing down.

3. Inhale slowly while raising the arms over the head, keeping them straight, and bending as far back as is comfortable. Tilt the head back and look up at the hands. 4. Exhale slowly bending forward at the waist and grasp the feet with the hands. Bring the head as close to the knees as possible, placing it on the knees if you can, keeping the legs straight. (If you are unable to grasp the feet then grasp the ankles). 5. Hold that position for the duration of the exhale breath. 6. Inhale slowly and return to the seated position described in step #1. Comments: When the ugra-asana is properly performed, all the vertebrae of the spine and each muscle in the back is stretched. This type of stretching is highly beneficial. Try it regularly for a week and you will, without doubt, notice the benefits. The compression or contraction of the stomach followed by the release increases blood flow to the abdominal region and tones the muscles. Gas is release and sluggish digestion and/or constipation is improved. The muscles in the calves and thighs get a good stretching, helping to relieve fatigue and soreness in the lower extremities. Duration/Repetitions: Repeat this posture two or three times holding each repetition for the duration of the exhaled breath and take at least three deep breaths in-between each repetition. As you become more adept at doing the ugra-asana you may begin breathing slowly through the nostrils while holding the posture to increase its duration. 30. Ushtra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Camel Pose Posture: Ushtra-asana - The Camel Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word ushtra means camel. Pronunciation: oosh-trah-sa-na

Difficulty: (5) Instructions: 1. Sit up on the knees with the heels of the feet pressed against the buttocks and the calves of the legs flat on the floor. 2. Reaching backward, grasp the left ankle with the left hand and right ankle with the right hand. 3. Inhale through the nostrils and lift the buttocks off the legs arching the back and thrusting the abdomen forward and tilt the head as far back as possible. 4. Either hold the posture for the duration of the inhale breath or breath gently through the nostrils while holding the posture. 5. Exhale and return to the kneeling position. Comments: The ushtra-asana is a powerful posture for stretching the spine, back muscles, shoulders and arms. It is best to practice it later in your asana routine after most of the muscles are limber and and you have worked the back and shoulders. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath. If you choose to breath while holding the ushtraasana, hold it for between thirty seconds to one minute. Repeat the posture three times. 31. Vajra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Thunderbolt Pose Posture: Vajra-asana The Thunderbolt or Diamond Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word vajra means thunderbolt or diamond.

Pronunciation: vuh-drah-sa-na Difficulty: (2) Instructions: 1. The vajra-asana is a seated posture. Begin by sitting back on your heels and placing your knees, legs and feet together. 2. Keeping the back straight place the palms of your hands down on top of your tights. 3. Breath gently through your nostrils and sit in this position for at least three minutes. Comments: The vajra-asana is a versatile posture well suited for meditation, rest in between other seated postures, or as an aid to digestion. The vajra-asana is the position in various other yoga postures such as the anjaneya-asana (salutation posture) and the ushtra-asana (the camel). Duration/Repetitions: The vajra-asana can be held for as long as is comfortable(and depending on the reason for doing the posture). 32. Vira â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Hero Pose Posture: Vira-asana - The Hero Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word vira means hero, brave or eminent man, or warrior. Pronunciation: veer-ah-sa-na Difficulty: (2) Instructions: 1. Kneel on the floor with the calves and tops of the feet flat on the floor and the thighs touching. 2. Slowly spread the feet, about shoulder distance apart, while keeping the knees together. Place

the buttocks flat on the floor. The outer sides of the thighs are touching the inner sides of the calves and the soles of the feet are exposed facing up. Place the hands palms downs, on the knees and form a circle with the thumb and forefinger (in the chin-mudra) while pointing the other fingers straight ahead. 3. Breath slowly and deeply through the nostrils and remain motionless for six complete breaths (an inhale and exhale is one complete breath). 4. Inhale slowly and stretch the arms straight up over the head and interlock the fingers with the palms pushed upward. Remain in this position for six complete breaths. 5. Exhale slowly, release the fingers and slowly bend forward at the waist while placing the palms of the hands flat on the soles of the feet. Place the chin between the knees. 6. Hold this position for the duration of six complete breaths.Inhale, raise the chest up, stretch the legs straight ahead and place the hands, palms down, on top of the thighs. Comments: The vira-asana is an alternative to the padma-asana, siddha-asana, as well as other seated postures, for mediation and pranayama. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the posture from several minutes as part of an asana session or for the duration of your meditation or pranyama. Variations: The Supta-vira-asana variation (supta is the Sanskrit word for "lying down") stretches the abdominal muscles and relieves pain and discomfort in the legs. Begin the posture as detailed above then incline backwards and lean the back on the floor. The arms are stretch straight above the shoulders and kept flat on the floor.

33. Vriksha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Tree Pose Posture: Vriksha-asana - The Tree Pose Translation: The Sanskrit word vriksha means tree, thus this is the Tree Posture. Pronunciation: vrik-shah-sa-na Difficulty: (3-4) "Standing straight on the left leg, bend the right leg and place the right foot on the root of the left thigh. Stand thus like a tree on the ground. This is called vriksha-asana." Gheranda-samhita II.36 Instructions: 1. Stand with the feet together and the arms by your sides (see the tad-asana). 2. Bend the right leg at the knee, raise the right thigh and bring the sole of the right foot as high up the inside of the left thigh as possible. 3. Balancing on the left foot, raise both arms over the head keeping the elbows unbent and joining the palms together. Hold the posture while breathing gently through the nostrils for about 10 complete breaths. 4. Lower the arms and right leg and return to the tad-asana, standing position with feet together and arms at the sides. Pause for a few moments and repeat on the opposite leg. Comments: The challenge of the vriksha-asana is maintaining balance on one leg. Poor balance is often the result of a restless mind or distracted attention. Regular practice of this posture will help focus the mind and cultivate concentration (dharana).

When practicing vriksha-asana it may help to imagine or picture a tree in the mind and apply the following technique: Imagine that the foot you are balanced on is the root of the tree and the leg is the trunk. Continue by imagining the head and outstretched arms as the branches and leaves of the tree. You may be unsteady for a while and find the body swaying back and forth, but don't break the concentration. Like a tree bending in the wind and yet remaining upright, the body can maintain balance. Aim to achieve the "rootedness" and firmness of a tree. Regular practice of the vriksha-asana improves concentration, balance and coordination. Because the weight of the entire body is balanced on one foot, the muscles of that leg are strengthened and toned as well. As you advance in this posture and are able to remain standing for more than a few moments, try closing the eyes and maintaining your balance. Duration/Repetitions: Hold the vriksha-asana as long as your comfortably can. Repeat it two or three times on each leg. 34. Vrischika â&#x20AC;&#x201C; asana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Scorpion Pose Posture: Vrischika-asana The Scorpion Pose Translation: Vrischika is the Sanskrit word for scorpion. This posture is so named because the body resembles a scorpion with its tail arched above its head ready to sting its victim. Although it may not be a simple posture for beginners to perform, the Scorpion is not as difficult as it may at first seem. Pronunciation: vrik-shah-sa-na Difficulty: (7)

Instructions: 1. Kneel on the floor and lean forward placing the elbows and forearms flat on the floor with the palms facing down. Your arms should be placed about shoulder-distance apart. 2. Extend your head forward and lift it as high as possible. 3. Raise the buttocks and place the feet firmly on the bottoms the toes. 4. Inhale a swing the legs up and over the head while maintaining your balance. Bring the legs straight up over your head. 5. Slowly bend the knees and drop the legs toward the head being careful not to move too quickly or drop the legs to far while maintaining balance. 6. Reverse the steps above and return to a kneeling position. Comments: The Scorpion should not be attempted until you are comfortable with all the balance postures (e.g.: Vriksha-asana, Ekapada-asana, etc.) as well as the Headstand (Sirsha-asana). Beginners should do this posture under the supervision of a qualified teacher. When first attempting the Scorpion asana you may want to try it while facing a wall. Position yourself so that when you are doing step #1 above your head is about 2 - 3 feet from the wall. This way if you lose your balance you can use the wall for support. This posture will provide maximum stretch to the neck, spine and chest. It combines many of the benefits of the Chakra-asana (the Wheel posture) and the Sirsha-asana (the Headstand). Duration/Repetitions: Hold the vrischika-asana for as long as you are comfortable. Keep in mind that returning from the posture gracefully without falling out of it will take some strength, so don't hold it too long. 20-30 seconds is fine for early attempts, increase the time gradually as you become more proficient.

Variations: There are two common variations to this posture illustrated and described below: To do the first variation, illustrated above, after entering the Scorpion as described above slowly raise the legs straight up until your feet are directly over your head (you won't, of course, be able to see this but you will easily be able to feel when they are properly positioned). This variation requires a bit more strength and a stronger sense of balance then pose described above.

The Human Aura. by Fionn The human aura is believed to be made of the thoughts and emotions of an individual.we have already said that the brain emits colors;these colors are therefore the visible manifestations of human thought and feeling.The seven colors of the spectrum are also known as the Seven Rays,and have been known to magicians for thousands of years.They compose one of the Kabbalistic color scales and are the visual representations of the seven planets of the ancients.Occult scholars believe that the spectrum is an epitome of the evolution of the universe.Each of the Seven Rays is a manifestation of seven cosmic periods.The first three periods,corresponding to the red,orange and yellow rays,have already passed.We are now in the forth or green-ray period,midway between the first periods of struggle and primitive development and the higher periods of soul growth and spiritual attainment.The color of the person's aura reveals his talents,habits and general character.Each color or ray has a special characteristic are as follow: Violet-Spirituality. Indigo-Intuition. Blue-Religious inspiration.

Green-Harmony and Sympathy. Yellow-Intellect. Orange-Energy. Red-Life. According to British occultist S.G.J.Ousely,the color rays are divided into many hues.Violet,for example,is subdivided into heliotrope,amethyst,orchid,royal purple,wisteria and lavender.Each of these hues is known as a minor ray.The following are the meanings of the various colors or rays,according to Ousely. Human Aura-Colors Green-The symbol of harmony and sympathy,the higher mental plane.An excess of green in your aura denotes individualism,supply,independence. Bright clear green bespeak good qualities. Light green,prosperity,success. Mint green,adaptability,versatility. Clear green,sympathy. Dark green,deceit. Olive green,treachery,double-nature.The darker shades have more "sinister" implications. Blue-The symbol of inspiration and devotion,the spiritual nature.An excess of blue in the aura signifies an artistic harmonious nature and spiritual understanding. Deep clear blue,pure religious feelings. Pale ethereal blue,devotion to a noble ideal. Bright blue,loyal and sincerity. Indigo-Symbol of the mystic borderland.Indigo symbolizes spiritual attainment and self-mastery,wisdom and holiness.

Violet-The symbol of spirituality. Deep purple,high spiritual attainment and holy love-the divine radiance. Pale lilac and wisteria tints,comic consciousness and love for humanity. Bluish-purple,transcendent idealism. Human Aura,Minor color meaning Light grey,fear. Dark grey conventionalism,formality. Heavy leaden grey,meanness,lack of imagination. Greyish-green,deceit duplicity. Brownish-grey,depression. Black,malice,vice,depravity. Pink,modest,gentleness,unselfishness. Silver,versatility,vivacity,movement.An excess of silver in the aura is a sign of inconstancy and of a fickle nature. Light brown,practical mind. Dull,greyish-brown,selfishness. Clear brown,avarice. When a person shows a particular predilection for a color,the characteristics of that color usually affect his or her personality very deeply.Likewise,when one desires to influence someone magickally,colors are a very important part of the magick used.Colored candles of the shade representing the zodiac sign of the person are often burned.Sometimes the candle chosen represent the kind of feeling one desires to evoke in that person,such as red for passion or green for harmony and friendship.Colors have been associated with the making of amulets for thousands of years.The Egyptians,for example,were very careful with the color of the inks they used on their amulets or written spells.The instructions concerned the rite of dead,it is obvious that the "Book of Overthrowing Apep",it is ordered that Apep's name,who is a friend,should be written in green ink.Some of the darker shades of green symbolize treachery and deceit.

Hereditary Witches by El Chupacabra http://quasizoid.blogspot.com/2008/10/hereditary-witches.html So you reckon your granny taught ya? A true aficionado of ye anciente crafte? Well lemme tell you something about Victorian times. A good domestic meant a very well versed knowledge in herbal medicine, because in those days itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like you could dial 911, let alone trust any of the doctors or their medical facilities. Indeed, the average household cookbook read much like a medical handbook. As for social entertainment-

despite all grand expectations of perfect demeanor, these were megalomanic times, aspiring some of the wildest dreams of avarice. It was not enough to entertain your guests with the most elaborately planned exquisite dinners. Social clubs were full of profligate braggarts, spinning the most fantastic yarns of exotically dangerous places and superhuman feats in the most extraordinary circumstances. Anything that tickled any sense of awe over the great unknown was highly fashionable. As women were expected to serve little other role than household management, this rather limited their means of entertaining the enigma, to that of the occult, and no doubt where the term "parlor tricks" came from. Any truly entertaining parlour came equipped with at least a tarot deck and a Ouija board. Of course reading the grounds in the cup was a must after every tea ritual. Mind you, that doesn’t mean the men were exempt from the esoterica scene. Rather, they had their secret societies of illuminati, which with the reconstruction of Stonehenge, gave rise to a whole host of "druidic" practices within the higher orders of their OTO. It was out of these the Golden Dawn, and lesser forms as Wicca were quintessentially born. Some would like to think being privy to the higher degrees of these secrets, will awaken some kind of ancestral "knowing" within them. Heh, by the time you finally get there memory will long have failed you. Face it you wannabes, if that’s the route you think you have to go, you obviously don’t have it. The big difference between you, Da Vinci, Fucanelli and especially Tesla. As has been said countless times before, the term "witch" can’t even begin to define true adepthood.

Light & Dark by:Andrew It is long over time that we put this miss conception to bed and stop hurting our spiritual growth by letting this have meaning. It is time that we wake up and realize that everything in this world seen & unseen has an influence on us, for it is the nature of all things. Many say that there is only one way to practice magic and that you have to chose your path either it be light or dark and that is the only path you can walk and that you can not access the other. This idea and beliefs is very flawed and even dangerous to our very spiritual growth. Everything has a duality it is apart of us and is the very building blocks of all things, it is the very essence of creation without it there is nothing. Even with in ourselves when we are born it is one chromosomes that makes who we are male or female with have both genes in us, but we are both and have both in us, you may ask what this has to do with light & dark, well that is simple in the end it is all about duality and the way we limit our selves and not grow to our full potential. I feel this is very impotent before I start to cover The Paradigms of Magic because if one can not understand this basic concept of duality and that it is in everything & a part of us we will never be able to truly learn what pure & true magic is, because we can not grow past the fact that we have to categories everything in Light or Dark. If anyone knows anything about the Paradigms of Magic then you already know those that claim they only use white magic (light) but yet the heal and use healing energy well sorry to say that you actually use dark magic. It is not about color or weather it is light or dark but the intent that is used & the purpose for it. The ability to blend & mix the energies to accomplish the goal at hand and have it be

strong & pure we can’t do this if we put our selves in this box other wise what we are doing is half of what should be doing and is the very reason why most of the time it only works but not to the effect it should or take’s so long to come about. First we must know our selves and find that comfortable balance between both, then we have to work from there & push that balance as we grow and learn, as we do this new doors will open we will see a complete difference around & even within us. But if you set back and look at everything you will begin to see that we have to have both, just like we have to accept that we are both light & dark, male & female and then you will begin to truly understand all the principles of magic and the foundations there of. If you look at everything in a whole everything we have been taught you will see from the planets to the God/dess there is that duality even in nature so why do we continue to keep putting ourselves in this box and continue to teach our next generation these lies that only hinder them, and if you think about it, it is the very reason we are so divided and constantly arguing with each other about who is right or who is wrong, or that they are evil and therefore have no place amongst us, well that’s a two edge sword no isn’t it. That is what this little box of categories has brought about, just set back and think if we use all this energy we spend arguing on this matter how much closer we would all be & how much more we would learn & even how much more different this world would be. Here is one final question for you to ponder on, what is Light, dark, chaos, elemental, or just magic in general? Are they not all the same thing? I think if you truly think about it you will even amaze your self with the real answers to those question’s. if you can not break away from such title’s, categories then you should stop right were your at and don’t proceed any farther, all the answer’s are right there in front of you, for that matter there are in you, for if you can’t see them then you will truly never understand what magic really is and what can truly be done with it.

All that is Nature..using Natures Forces to direct a outcome...healing, herbal, cleansing, rituals, spells..Allin tune with The Forest(nature) The ideology behind the Green Witch is to stay within the balance of Nature. To become part of nature at its basic level...zero impact on your environment but able to utilize our surroundings to produce the desired results of whatever your Craft entails. To bring no harm to creatures of The Forest (nature), to be able to Heal The Forest (nature)..knowing the herbs , uses acquisition of Natures Bounty without harm. They key objective will be to achieve true communication between you an Nature. When you are truly in tune with The Forest (Nature) what

affects Nature will affect you..When this happens THEN you will have been assimilated into the Green Craft, YOU become protector, nurturer and preservationist. At this time thru the power of The Forest (Nature) you can call upon the power to channel and aid in your Craft Practices (rituals, spells and enchantments). And thru natural means you will know what can be used in potions, healing, spell-crafting without bringing harm to your resources. Natural Blessings to You till next time... Darkside & Witdove

Herbal Housekeeping by Gossamer Wings Herbal Housekeeping Plant Catnip around the foundation of houses - ants do not like to pass through it. - a sprinkling of it along an ant path will encourage them to turn around and leave. Houseflies don't like basil, clover flowers and sweet bays. A bouquet of green and purple basil, sweet bay and red clover not only looks and smells good in the kitchen, but keeps away the flies as well. Mint repels mice - Long stems of it placed along the eaves in the attic will encourage mice to leave. Anise will attract mice, so a little anise oil or a few anise seeds mixed with peanut butter is far more effective than cheese as bait for a mousetrap. Valerian is also good bait for mice, as well as for rats. Bay leaves will keep weevils out of stored flour, cornmeal, and other grains. Just place a whole bay leaf in the container and don't worry -

it will not flavor the food at all. The fungus that infects dried beans and grains can be prevented by placing a small, cheesecloth "sachet" filled with broken cinnamon stick, black peppercorns, coarsely ground black mustard seed, and green garlic into each gallon can or jar. Essential oils can be used to create many effective non-toxic (and wonderfully fragrant) cleansers and disinfectants. The oils that are excellent for cleaning include: Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Spruce, Lemon, Lemongrass, Grapefruit ~Household Odors~ To freshen room air, dampen cotton balls with oil of wintergreen and place out of sight but where air will touch them. ~~Carpet Freshener~ Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 2 tbsp. corn starch, and 1/4 cup perfumed talcum powder. Sprinkle on dry carpet, let stand 5 to 15 minutes, then vacuum. ~Cobwebs~ For hard to reach spots, slip a sock over the end of a yardstick and secure with a rubber band, then sweep the area. This method works well for cleaning under radiators and refrigerators also. ~Lavender Antibacterial Spray~ 1 cup water 20 drops pure essential oil of lavender

Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the lavender essential oil and shake to blend. Spray on the surface and let set for at least 15 minutes. Makes: 1 cup spray Shelf Life: Indefinite ~Basic household disinfectant~ Fill a spray bottle with water and a squirt of dishwashing soap. Add 3-5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and pine essential oils. Shake well. ~Musty Smells~ Combine 1 tsp of tea tree oil and 1 cup of water in a spritzer bottle. Spray the area, but don't wipe it off. In a couple of days the smell should be gone and the tea tree oil will have dissipated. If not . . . repeat for a couple of more days. ~Moisture Problems~ Mold and mildew thrive in moist, warm areas. To keep these areas under control place out bowls of unscented kitty litter to absorb the moisture. Replace these once a week. ~Mildew in books~ Place some cornstarch in a sprinkle container and sprinkle the cornstarch onto the pages lightly. Let it sit for a few hours and then wipe and shake clean. ~Cutting Boards~Countertops~ To get rid of strong odors on cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar or baking soda or lemon slices or celery.

For countertop's, mix a few drops of essential oil of lemon thyme to one cup water. Spray on the surface and then wipe. ~Mold~ To kill mold use full-strength vinegar. To keep mold under control spray with diluted vinegar on a regular basis. ~Drains~ To keep drains running clear - Once a week pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain, then follow with hot water. ~To freshen a vacuum cleaner~ Sprinkle several drops of lemon oil onto half a tissue or cotton ball and let the vacuum cleaner suck it up. If your vacuum cleaner has a water reservoir, add a few drops of oil into it before cleaning. ~Fighting dust mites~ Eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. 25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil added to each load of laundry or 1/2 ounce to a jug of laundry detergent is all you need. ~Cleaning Concoctions~ ~ Window Cleaner~ Place the following in a spritzer bottle and shake well. 1/3 tsp liquid Castile or other liquid vegetable based soap 3 tbsp cider vinegar or white vinegar 2 cups water.

~Another Window cleaner ~ Mix in a 1 quart spray bottle: 1 cup White Vinegar 10-15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil Water Mix vinegar and water in spray bottle, Add essential oil, Shake and use. ~Kitchens and bathrooms~ The following recipes clean, deodorize, and disinfect, and are great for cleaning cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, carpets, etc... Mix into 1 quart water: 2 drops rosemary 4 drops lemon 3 drops eucalyptus 4 drops lavender Shake well and put into a spray bottle. Shake again before using. ~Another all-purpose cleaner~ Mix into 1 quart water: 3 - 4 drops lavender 5 - 6 drops Purification Shake well and put into a spray bottle. Shake again before using. ~Another all-purpose cleaner~ Water 2 Tablespoons Borax 1 Teaspoon Castile Soap

15-20 drops Essential Oils such as Pine, Lemon, Melaleuca, Citronella, or Lemongrass (or any combination of the above) Add Borax to a 1 quart spray bottle. Fill with warm water. Add Castile soap and Essential Oils. Shake and use. ~Floor cleaner~ Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water. Add 5-10 drops lemon, pine, spruce, melaleuca or Purification. ~Laundry~ ~Stain Remover Use one or two drops of Lemon oil on stain. Let it sit a few minutes then rub off with a clean cloth or throw into the washing machine. ~In the Dryer~ Instead of using toxic and irritating softening sheets in the dryer, add 10 drops of lavender, lemon, melaleuca, bergamot, to a dampened washcloth. The oils will not reduce static cling but they will add a lovely fragrance to the clothes.

12 Anti-Aging Herbs by Gossamer Wings

Trying to maintain a youthful appearance but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to undergo the knife, Botox, or some other invasive procedure? Natural herbs and nutrients can help. Here

are 11 of the best ones for anti-aging: 1. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): ALA is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radical damage. It also helps to recycle other antioxidants like vitamins E and C, giving you greater protection against free radicals. Free radicals are to blame for aging and disease, including skin damage and wrinkling. 2. Bilberry: Packed with antioxidants, bilberry is potent medicine against many age-related concerns. It is helpful to preserve vision and prevent degenerative eye diseases. 3. GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid): Declining levels of HGH are linked with many of the symptoms linked with aging: fat gain, muscle loss, loss of energy, poor sleep, skin changes, bone density loss, and a decline in libido. Supplementing with GABA, a natural amino acid helps to maintain levels of HGH naturally, lessening these unwanted symptoms. Avoid GABA if you are prone to seizures. 4. Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic is renowned for its potent effects on viruses and bacteria, but it also reduces cholesterol levels and helps lower blood pressure. In one Japanese study, garlic slowed age-related memory loss in animals. 5. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): There is solid scientific research that supports the use of ginkgo to increase blood flow to the brain, one of the areas that is commonly affected by aging. European research shows ginkgoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to help people with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease and other forms of dementia to become more sociable and alert. You can take 60 to 240 mg of standardized ginkgo extract per day. 6. Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Among the Chinese,

ginseng is considered the Fountain of Youth. According to renowned herbalist Dr. James Duke, it tones the skin and muscles, improves appetite and digestion, and restores sexual energy. 7. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): Frequently used in India to improve memory and extend longevity, gotu kola is excellent when made into an herbal tea. 8. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense): Loaded with the mineral silicon that often declines with age, horsetail plays a role in increasing the silicon in arteries, skin, bones, cartilage and connective tissues. Horsetail is also available as a tea. 9. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): Since the liver has more than five hundred functions, including processing and filtering medications and environmental toxins, it can suffer from the stresses of the modern world. Silymarin, an active ingredient in milk thistle stimulates liver cell regeneration to help the liver rebuild after it has been damaged. A standardized extract of 140 mg of silymarin per day is suitable to help protect and repair the liver. 10. Peppermint (Metha peperita): In addition to helping with digestion and gastrointestinal problems linked with aging, peppermint contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other age-related disorders. It is readily available as an herbal tea. 11. Turmeric (curcuma longa): Turmeric is powerful against many types of pain and inflammation associated with aging. A spice, commonly used in Indian curries, you can add it to your soups, stews, and curries to benefit from this valuable spice. 12. Vitamin D: vitamin D helps protect against bone loss linked with aging, as well as many chronic illnesses like diabetes,

cancer, and heart disease. Staying free of these diseases can certainly help you live a longer, healthier life. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessary to take all of the above herbs and nutrients to benefit from their anti-aging properties. Even one or two taken consistently can help. Start by drinking horsetail, gotu kola, or peppermint tea regularly and eating more curries with garlic and turmeric. Follow the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suggested dose for tinctures, capsules or tea. Consult a qualified health professional before taking any herbs or combining them with medications. Michelle Schoffro Cook, RNCP, ROHP, DAc, DNM,

The Mechanics Of Karma By: Christopher Stewart

How long have I hankered For the right way to go How far have I wandered To know what I now know Laying under the moon Rising up with the crow And the wail of the loon In the rain or the glow How many ups and downs I had to lose the count Just as with forms and nouns To keep climbing the mount How many times I slipped

Escaping restriction Expecting to be tripped By disguised protection To hell and back again I journeyed so often The tempter of his den Titled me denizen And all the times I yelled At the gates of heaven Why was freedom withheld Why were no signs given Through trials I learned the laws Governing ascension And got rid of the flaws Hampering progression Never I thought I'd shed This world that never was Yet where my path has led Suddenly there I was Trembling on highwire Goaded under duress Across straits so dire That I had to witness Known doors becoming walls So walls could reveal doors To magnificent halls And infallible floors

UNDER WORLD RED SEA STORMS by RJK on April 19, 2011 A Dream a message On waking I saw A body in Sea Water was floating I saw A fellow from a Ship dived down thinking death And searched of that body around with his head He spotted the body and looked into the eyes A doorway of strife dead life in disguise Once locked on with eyes a search he did long He too became Dead locked into Sea strong An onlooker was I .. I saw the trap game And watched another fellow go seek out the same 'Tis I to be sure that looked outside it all And worked out the saviors got lost in sea storms As soon as the seekers the saviors were hooked Via curiosity saving their time also was booked A thousand of these got lost in the Seas And found they were too amidst hell and eaze I saw the Red waves they were all locked into Roll over them all as Red waves kept construed No way could they be saved for all who looked down Into the Deep Seas of curiosity abound The cycle goes on and more die to these calls Of unwanted stuck Dead Eyes don't look as you fall

For Eye to Eye contact can sometimes be tricks To pull curious Souls into Places well fixed The only way to see without dying in that Sea Is to not lock your Eyes onto fixed Red Sea pleas So if one sees body a dead one at that Go down if You wish but don't look further than that There's only one way to save if one dares Look sideways at the shadows and avoid Red Sea glares Under water worlds speak in Dream time to me Beware The Red Sea the Dead Sea we may seek If one dares to strike dive into and save grab hands but don't look Eye to eye with this wave And once you have locked your hands with another Alive will become swim back to not smother Have 4 men on deck your ship just in case So you can see the pattern of stuck Dead as they waste The forth will catch on to the Dead via sheer rescue And never lay his eye as he dives in his Soul Bless U Beware .. the Dead Floating for they are but just asleep Make sure You are armed as the Undertows are Red deep The Firey waves underwater treadmills of time Give insights of the Wheel of curious eyes in our Minds

Beltane Hours by Richard Thomas

The Beltane May Pole is once again here, A time of light come out of the fear, Look to the spring to find good cheer, Join hands with all creatures of magic clear, Dwell not on the past lock it in a mirror, Toast with meade or fresh made beer, Raise the powers now shed no tear, Claim your heritage from which to peer, Dreams of fancy let them leer, Make fresh reality get it in gear, Draw those of like mind ever near, Gleam from your heart where to steer !

THE DWARF'S GIFTS by: Abbie Farwell Brown (1881-1927)

The following Norse tale is reprinted from In the Days of Giants. Abbie Farwell Brown. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1902. Red Loki had been up to mischief again! Loki, who made quarrels and brought trouble wherever he went. He had a wicked heart, and he loved no one. He envied Father Odin his wisdom and his throne above the world. He envied Balder his beauty, and Tyr his courage, and Thor his strength. He envied all the good Ă&#x2020;sir who were happy; but he would not take the trouble to be good himself. So he was always unhappy, spiteful, and sour. And if anything went wrong in Asgard, the kingdom of the gods, one was almost sure to find Loki at the bottom of the trouble. Now Thor, the strongest of all the gods, was very proud of his wife's beautiful hair, which fell in golden waves to her feet, and covered her like a

veil. He loved it better than anything, except Sif herself. One day, while Thor was away from home, Loki stole into Thrudheim, the realm of clouds, and cut off all Sif's golden hair, till her head was as round and fuzzy as a yellow dandelion. Fancy how angry Thor was when he came rattling home that night in his thunder-chariot and found Sif so ugly to look at! He stamped up and down till the five hundred and forty floors of his cloud palace shook like an earthquake, and lightning flashed from his blue eyes. The people down in the world below cried: "Dear, dear! What a terrible thunderstorm! Thor must be very angry about something. Loki has been up to mischief, it is likely." You see, they also knew Loki and his tricks. At last Thor calmed himself a little. "Sif, my love," he said, "you shall be beautiful again. Red Loki shall make you so, since his was the unmaking. The villain! He shall pay for this!" Then, without more ado, off set Thor to find red Loki. He went in his thunder-chariot, drawn by two goats, and the clouds rumbled and the lightning flashed wherever he went; for Thor was the mighty god of thunder. At last he came upon the sly rascal, who was trying to hide. Big Thor seized him by the throat. "You scoundrel!" he cried, "I will break every bone in your body if you do not put back Sif's beautiful hair upon her head." "Owâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ow! You hurt me!" howled Loki. "Take off your big hand, Thor. What is done, is done. I cannot put back Sif's hair. You know that very well." "Then you must get her another head of hair," growled Thor. "That you can do. You must find for her hair of real gold, and it must grow upon her head as if it were her own. Do this, or you shall die." "Where shall I get this famous hair?" whined Loki, though he knew well enough. "Get it of the black elves," said Thor; "they are cunning jewelers, and they are your friends. Go, Loki, and go quickly, for I long to see Sif as beautiful as ever." Then Loki of the burning beard slunk away to the hills where, far under ground, the dwarfs have their furnaces and their work-shops. Among great heaps of gold and silver and shining jewels, which they have dug up out of the earth, the little crooked men in brown blink and chatter and scold one

another; for they are ugly fellows—the dwarfs. Tink-tank! tink-tank! go their little hammers all day long and all night long, while they make wonderful things such as no man has ever seen, though you shall hear about them. They had no trouble to make a head of hair for Sif. It was for them a simple matter, indeed. The dwarfs work fast for such a customer as Loki, and in a little while the golden wires were beaten out, and drawn out, made smooth and soft and curly, and braided into a thick golden braid. But when Loki came away, he carried with him also two other treasures which the clever dwarfs had made. One was a golden spear, and the other was a ship. Now these do not sound so very wonderful. But wait until you hear! The spear, which was named Gungnir, was bewitched, so that it made no difference if the person who held it was clumsy and careless. For it had this amazing quality, that no matter how badly it was aimed, or how unskillfully it was thrown, it was sure to go straight to the mark—which is a very obliging and convenient thing in one's weapon, as you will readily see. And Skidbladnir—this was the harsh name of the ship—was even more wonderful. It could be taken to pieces and folded up so small that it would go into one's pocket. But when it was unfolded and put together, it would hold all the gods of Asgard for a sea-journey. Besides all this, when the sails were set, the ship was sure always to have a fair wind, which would make it skim along like a great bird, which was the best part of the charm, as any sailor will tell you. Now Loki felt very proud of these three treasures, and left the hill cave stretching his neck and strutting like a great red turkey cock. Outside the gate, however, he met Brock, the black dwarf, who was the brother of Sindri, the best workman in all the underworld. "Hello! what have you there?" asked Brock of the big head, pointing at the bundles which Loki was carrying. "The three finest gifts in the world," boasted Loki, hugging his treasures tight. "Pooh!" said Brock, "I don't believe it. Did my brother Sindri make them?" "No," answered Loki; "they were made by the black elves, the sons of

Ivaldi. And they are the most precious gifts that ever were seen." "Pooh!" again puffed Brock, wagging his long beard crossly. "Nonsense! Whatever they be, my brother Sindri can make three other gifts more precious; that I know." "Can he, though?" laughed Loki. "I will give him my head if he can." "Done!" shouted the dwarf. "Let me see your famous gifts." So Loki showed him the three wonders: the gold hair for Sif, the spear, and the ship. But again the dwarf said: "Pooh! These are nothing. I will show you what the master-smith can do, and you shall lose your bragging red head, my Loki." Now Loki began to be a little uneasy. He followed Brock back to the smithy in the mountain, where they found Sindri at his forge. Oh, yes! He could beat the poor gifts of which Loki was so proud. But he would not tell what his own three gifts were to be. First Sindri took a pig's skin and laid it on the fire. Then he went away for a little time; but he set Brock at the bellows and bade him blow—blow—blow the fire until Sindri should return. Now when Sindri was gone, Loki also stole away; for, as usual, he was up to mischief. He had the power of changing his shape and of becoming any creature he chose, which was often very convenient. Thus he turned himself into a huge biting fly. Then he flew back into the smithy where Brock was blow—blow—blowing. Loki buzzed about the dwarf's head, and finally lighted on his hand and stung him, hoping to make him let go the bellows. But no! Brock only cried out, "Oh-ee!" and kept on blowing for dear life. Now soon back came Sindri to the forge and took the pigskin from the fire. Wonder of wonders! It had turned into a hog with golden bristles; a live hog that shone like the sun. Brock was not satisfied, however. "Well! I don't think much of that," he grumbled. "Wait a little," said Sindri mysteriously. "Wait and see." Then he went on to make the second gift. This time he put a lump of gold into the fire. And when he went away, as before, he bade Brock stand at the bellows to blow—blow—blow without stopping. Again, as before, in buzzed Loki the gadfly as soon as the master-smith had gone out. This time he settled on Brock's swarthy neck,

and stung him so sorely that the blood came and the dwarf roared till the mountain trembled. Still Brock did not let go the handle of the bellows, but blew and howled—blew and howled with pain till Sindri returned. And this time the dwarf took from the fire a fine gold ring, round as roundness. "Um! I don't think so much of that," said Brock, again disappointed, for he had expected some wonderful jewel. But Sindri wagged his head wisely. "Wait a little," he said. "We shall see what we shall see." He heaved a great lump of iron into the fire to make the third gift. But this time when he went away, leaving Brock at the bellows, he charged him to blow—blow—blow without a minute's rest, or everything would be spoiled. For this was to be the best gift of all. Brock planted himself wide-legged at the forge and blew—blew—blew. But for the third time Loki, winged as a fly, came buzzing into the smithy. This time he fastened viciously below Brock's bushy eye-brow, and stung him so cruelly that the blood trickled down, a red river, into his eyes and the poor dwarf was blinded. With a howl Brock raised his hand to wipe away the blood, and of course in that minute the bellows stood still. Then Loki buzzed away with a sound that seemed like a mocking laugh. At the same moment in rushed Sindri, panting with fright, for he had heard that sound and guessed what it meant. "What have you done?" he cried. "You have let the bellows rest! You have spoiled everything!" "Only a little moment, but one little moment," pleaded Brock, in a panic. "It has done no harm, has it?" Sindri leaned anxiously over the fire, and out of the flames he drew the third gift—an enormous hammer. "Oh!" said Brock, much disappointed, "only an old iron hammer! I don't think anything of that. Look how short the handle is, too." "That is your fault, brother," returned the smith crossly. "If you had not let the bellows stand still, the handle would have been long enough. Yet as it is—we shall see, we shall see. I think it will at least win for you red Loki's head. Take the three gifts, brother, such as they are, and bear them to Asgard. Let all the gods be judges between you and Loki, which gifts are best, his or yours. But stay—I may as well tell you the secrets of your

three treasures, or you will not know how to make them work. Your toy that is not wound up is of no use at all." Which is very true, as we all know. Then he bent over and whispered in Brock's ear. And what he said pleased Brock so much that he jumped straight up into the air and capered like one of Thor's goats. "What a clever brother you are, to be sure!" he cried. At that moment Loki, who had ceased to be a gadfly, came in grinning, with his three gifts. "Well, are you ready?" he asked. Then he caught sight of the three gifts which Brock was putting into his sack. "Ho! A pig, a ring, and a stub-handled hammer!" he shouted. "Is that all you have? Fine gifts, indeed! I was really growing uneasy, but now I see that my head is safe. Let us start for Asgard immediately, where I promise you that I with my three treasures shall be thrice more welcome than you with your stupid pig, your ugly ring, and your half-made hammer." So together they climbed to Asgard, and there they found the Æsir sitting in the great judgment hall on Ida Plain. There was Father Odin on his high throne, with his two ravens at his head and his two wolves at his feet. There was Queen Frigg by his side; and about them were Balder the beautiful, Frey and Freia, the fair brother and sister; the mighty Thor, with Sif his crop-haired wife, and all the rest of the great Æsir who lived in the upper world above the homes of men. "Brother Æsir," said Loki, bowing politely, for he was a smooth rascal, "we have come each with three gifts, the dwarf and I; and you shall judge which be the most worthy of praise. But if I lose,—I, your brother,—I lose my head to this crooked little dwarf." So he spoke, hoping to put the Æsir on his side from the first. For his head was a very handsome one, and the dwarf was indeed an ill-looking fellow. The gods, however, nodded gravely, and bade the two show what their gifts might be. Then Loki stepped forward to the foot of Odin's throne. And first he pulled from his great wallet the spear Gungnir, which could not miss aim. This he gave to Odin, the all-wise. And Odin was vastly pleased, as you may imagine, to find himself thenceforth an unequaled marksman. So he smiled upon Loki kindly and said: "Well done, brother." Next Loki took out the promised hair for Sif, which he handed Thor with a

grimace. Now when the golden locks were set upon her head, they grew there like real hair, long and soft and curling—but still real gold. So that Sif was more beautiful than ever before, and more precious, too. You can fancy how pleased Thor was with Loki's gift. He kissed lovely Sif before all the gods and goddesses, and vowed that he forgave Loki for the mischief which he had done in the first place, since he had so nobly made reparation. Then Loki took out the third gift, all folded up like a paper boat; and it was the ship Skidbladnir,—I am sorry they did not give it a prettier name. This he presented to Frey the peaceful. And you can guess whether or not Frey's blue eyes laughed with pleasure at such a gift. Now when Loki stepped back, all the Æsir clapped their hands and vowed that he had done wondrous well. "You will have to show us fine things, you dwarf," quoth Father Odin, "to better the gifts of red Loki. Come, what have you in the sack you bear upon your shoulders?" Then the crooked little Brock hobbled forward, bent almost double under the great load which he carried. "I have what I have," he said. First, out he pulled the ring Draupnir, round as roundness and shining of gold. This the dwarf gave to Odin, and though it seemed but little, yet it was much. For every ninth night out of this ring, he said, would drop eight other rings of gold, as large and as fair. Then Odin clapped his hands and cried: "Oh, wondrous gift! I like it even better than the magic spear which Loki gave." And all the other Æsir agreed with him. Then out of the sack came grunting Goldbristle, the hog, all of gold. Brock gave him to Frey, to match the magic ship of Loki. This Goldbristle was so marvelously forged that he could run more swiftly than any horse, on air or water. Moreover, he was a living lantern. For on the darkest night he bristled with light like a million-pointed star, so that one riding on his back would light the air and the sea like a firefly, wherever he went. This idea pleased Frey mightily, for he was the merriest of the gods, and he laughed aloud. " 'Tis a wondrous fine gift," he said. "I like old Goldbristle even better than the compressible boat. For on this lusty steed I can ride about the world

when I am tending the crops and the cattle of men and scattering the rain upon them. Master dwarf, I give my vote to you." And all the other Æsir agreed with him. Then out of the sack Brock drew the third gift. It was the short-handled hammer named Miölnir. And this was the gift which Sindri had made for Thor, the mightiest of the gods; and it was the best gift of all. For with it Thor could burst the hardest metal and shatter the thickest mountain, and nothing could withstand its power. But it never could hurt Thor himself; and no matter how far or how hard it was thrown, it would always fly back into Thor's own hand. Last of all, whenever he so wished, the great hammer would become so small that he could put it in his pocket, quite out of sight. But Brock was sorry that the handle was so short—all owing to his fault, because he had let the bellows rest for that one moment. When Thor had this gift in his hand, he jumped up with a shout of joy. " 'T is a wondrous fine gift," he cried, "with short handle or with long. And I prize it even more than I prize the golden hair of Sif which Loki gave. For with it I shall fight our enemies, the Frost Giants and the mischievous Trolls and the other monsters—Loki's friends. And all the Æsir will be glad of my gift when they see what deeds I shall do therewith. Now, if I may have my say, I judge that the three gifts made by Sindri the dwarf are the most precious that may be. So Brock has gained the prize of Loki's red head,—a sorry recompense indeed for gifts so masterly." Then Thor sat down. And all the other Æsir shouted that he had spoken well, and that they agreed with him. So Loki was like to lose his head. He offered to pay instead a huge price, if Brock would let him go. But Brock refused. "The red head of Loki for my gift," he insisted, and the gods nodded that it must be so, since he had earned his wish. But when Loki saw that the count was all against him, his eyes grew crafty. "Well, take me, then—if you can!" he shouted. And off he shot like an arrow from a bow. For Loki had on magic shoes, with which he could run over sea or land or sky; and the dwarf could never catch him in the world. Then Brock was furious. He stood stamping and chattering, tearing his long beard with rage.

"I am cheated!" he cried. "I have won—but I have lost." Then he turned to Thor, who was playing with his hammer, bursting a mountain or two and splitting a tree here and there. "Mighty Thor," begged the dwarf, "catch me the fellow who has broken his word. I have given you the best gift,— your wonderful hammer. Catch me, then, the boasting red head which I have fairly bought." Then Thor stopped his game and set out in pursuit of Loki, for he was ever on the side of fairness. No one, however fleet, can escape when Thor follows, for his is the swiftness of a lightning flash. So he soon brought Loki back to Ida Plain, and gave him up a prisoner to the dwarf. "I have you now, boaster," said Brock fiercely, "and I will cut off your red head in the twinkling of an eye." But just as he was about to do as he said, Loki had another sly idea. "Hold, sirrah dwarf," he said. "It is true that you have won my head, but not the neck, not an inch of the neck." And all the gods agreed that this was so. Then Brock was puzzled indeed, for how could he cut off Loki's head without an inch of the neck, too? But this he must not do, or he knew the just Æsir would punish him with death. So he was forced to be content with stopping Loki's boasting in another way. He would sew up the bragging lips. He brought a stout, strong thread and an awl to bore the holes. And in a twinkling he had stitched up the lips of the sly one, firm and fast. So for a time, at least, he put an end to Loki's boasting and his taunts and his lies. It is a pity that those mischief-making lips were not fastened up forever; for that would have saved much of the trouble and sorrow which came after. But at last, after a long time, Loki got his lips free, and they made great sorrow in Asgard for the gods and earth for men, as you shall hear. Now this is the end of the tale which tells of the dwarf's gifts, and especially of Thor's hammer, which was afterwards to be of such service to him and such bane to the enemies of the Æsir. And that also you shall hear before all is done.

ON THE ROAD TO FIND OUT

I am coming near the end of my journey, hopefully in more ways than one. I will arrive at the house in about 5 minutes. It's been a long drive (about an hour) but I think more than worth it. I think of my sister who lives about 10 minutes further out. What would she think? I know what she would think! That I was worshiping the devil and she would pray for me. I smile to myself it doesn't really matter what she thinks, this is for myself.

I arrive at the house. She opens the door. She is not her normal

street name today but a high priestess. Soon I will be named.

Technical problems make my naming start late. I try to act cool but it's driving me up the wall. I want to run but know I won't. I don't feel like running away from home today. Because that's what this life long journey feels like 'arriving home'. Those in the coven think I have done this before, I think they are right. Before I know it I am watching them perform a sacred and secret ritual. They are naked or skyclad a new word I have learn t. I soon will be naked. They have modified the ritual because of the years of abuse I have suffered in this life. I will be taking my own clothes off and for that I am grateful! It is time to strip. I think of the thousands of people who have done this before me and the thousand who will do it after me, and before I know it I too am skyclad. I watch and try to follow what they are doing. I do as I am instructed to do with a certain fascination! Then it hits me like a thunderbolt. You are watching this, you are not participating. Panic steps in. Am I going to miss all the benefits from this? I stumble over the words I know so well. All the time thinking you are missing out on something special. I am doing what I have done this entire life. I am watching at that is all. Screaming in my head is the words 'you must be healed'. But how? Before I know it it's over. I did get some benefit from it. I know I am home and I feel a lot younger than when I arrived. But there is something wrong to, something I could only work out today. I also feel empty! Because I know deep down I could have got a lot more from this. After the ritual I look at the High Priestess who is now getting dressed.

I almost and I say almost burst into tears. We hug for a long time. My hugs normally last for about 5 seconds. But this one is longer than I have ever hugged anyone in many, many years. Yes, I did get something out of it, I can now really hug people! That makes me smile. All I do know is that I am heading in the right direction and that makes me smile also. But where to from here. I really don't know. .

You Ask, We Tell, Need a Hint? Want a Spell? What You Ask We Will Tell..... Demon Darkside & Witdove This is a new advice , question & answer section..you can ask both or either of us whatever you need to know..simple to complex..mundane or exotic..personal or Craft related..we are here for you!!! Dont be shy..no need to hide..need some help..give us a try! email: witdove@gmail.com

Young Know it all's, wannabe's , rather be's trying to dictate their one book of cunningham knowledge to elders of the craft with libraries larger than local bookstores. Then ask a question, and proceed to tell you how wrong you are~ Why freaking ask if you aren't interested in furthering your education. Open your minds and close your mouth. Read all you can get a hold of, as most authors have their own viewpoint and offer valid information from their perspective. But do not take one book and try to make it a philosophy! If you take this train of thought,

and turn it into theology... forcing it upon others than become a baptist preacher, because all that is wicca and witchcraft requires an open mind and A acceptance of others attitude... Not a Monorail of Bullshit!!! That is our rant for this time....

Arthur- Peeps i tell you i laughed till i peeded lol this one was a hit for me it did the orginal justice. To me Russell Brand lived up to the Dugley Moore part to the fullest. And my friends if you know me and i how i feel about remakes i think this one was the first one i can say paid homage to the orginal so i say see it you will love i am so watching again my friends cant help it to funny. Here is the link so you can enjoy it as much as i did put please i am not held liable if you pee your self thank you very much...http://www.letmewatchthis.ch/watch-2131169-Arthur

Insidious- Not in a long time have i been scared and this one did it to me. Yes i slept with the lights on after watching this on and every noise i heard after that had me jumping. And the the thing is the house wasnt hunted it was the boy imagine that to find out its your kids that is haunted. ~looks at her kids~ would explain alot. lol lol. This is a great mind flip if you love that type of thing i do so it was so worth the watch for me. So if you want your mind flipped here is the link and watch with the lights out if you dare(insert evil laugh here)...http://www.letmewatchthis.ch/watch-2628495-Insidious

Rio- Ok who are you to judge lmaoooooooo...Yes my friends i had to see this. And i tell you i loved it had me sambaing in my chair. It was the cutes movie i have seen since Despicable Me. And can these birds get down. You will want to see this one with the kids or the grandkids trust me you gonna love it...Here is the link to enjoy with the family...http://www.letmewatchthis.ch/watch-2328353-Rio

Well my friends till next time the box is closed i will reopen it to next issue and bring you more reviews. Happy watching and smooches all around.

By:Andrew The Elemental Path A Journey into the Roots of the Elements By: Marc Sylvir About the Author Marc Sylvir is a teacher of metaphysics and meditation and has been writing guided meditations for over 15 years. He currently lives in Denver, CO and, in addition to teaching, he also works for a national non-profit, and emcees for

concerts in and around the Denver metro area and for a yearly science fiction/horror convention. After reading The Elemental Path By: Marc Sylvir I am truly happy that he allowed us to read a copy of his new book, it is definitely one I will be adding to my collection. He writes in away that is visually stimulating and explains things in away that only a teacher could express, which in many books we find today are lacking. He takes you as the reader down these paths given you the very stepping stones needed to open these doors, and also gives you some exercises to help you with the visualization of the elements and their paths. This book is written with such detail and understanding that it reminds me of old written tomes of long ago that where past down from teacher to student. This book is not only for the beginner but for those that are Master's in there own right. I definitely recommend this book for every one and give it 5 stars. It will be available this month so do check it out and help support one of our own, it is not everyday that we get a chance to support one of our own writers and one that is a part of our social networks so take time to stop by his page & tell him how much we appreciate his work & his time for written such great work...

Fresh Herb Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta 2T Olive Oil 1 Cup Fresh Broccoli 1/2 cup thin yellow pepper strips 1/2 cup thinly sliced snow pea pods 1 lb. skinless chicken breasts cut into thin slices 4 large fresh basil leaves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 Shallot, minced 1T chopped fresh cilantro 2 cloves, garlic 1/2 t black pepper 1/4 t chopped fresh tarragon 1/4 cup dry white wine 2 t light soy sauce

8 oz. Angel Hair pasta ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In large nonstick skillet, heat 1 T oil over medium heat, add Broccoli, Yellow Pepper and Snow Peas; cook 1 to 2 min. or until crisp-tender. Remove from pan; set aside. Heat remaining oil in skillet. Add chicken, cook 2 min. or just until chicken begins to turn white, add basil, shallot, cilantro, garlic, pepper & tarragon; toss to mix well. Stir in wine and soy sauce. Return vegetables to skillet; cook until heated through. Meanwhile cook pasta accordingly. Serve sauce over hot pasta.

By: Persephone

NANAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BANANA BREAD 5 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 large egg 2 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup chopped walnuts Preheat over to 350 F. Spray bottom only of 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Beat butter in large bowl with an electric mixer set a medium speed until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat well. Add egg, egg whites and vanilla; beat until well blended. Add mashed banana, and beat on high speed 30 seconds. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder in medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with cream, ending with flour mixture. Add walnuts to batter; mix well. Pour batter evenly into prepared loaf pan. Bake until browned and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Slice and serve with butter and jam. by Reivanna

Lemon Granita Ice

Ingredients • 3-3/4 cups sugar • 3-3/4 cups water • Juice of 8 lemons (about 1-1/2 cups) • 3 tablespoons lemon zest • Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions 1. Dissolve sugar in water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add lemon juice and zest; blend well. Let cool. 2. Pour lemon mixture into a large dish; freeze for 20 minutes. 3. Take out of freezer; scrape ice chips with a fork and stir into remaining liquid. Return lemon mixture to freezer for 20 minutes. Repeat until entire mixture is frozen, allowing 20 minutes between stirs. Preparation Time:

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10 minutes Ready In: 1 hour 10 minutes (or until completely frozen) Servings: 12 Chilling Time: 20 minutes per batch

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What a month is all I can say at this point. Once again it seems Ning dropped the ball once more, I mean for real almost 2 and 1/2 weeks our sites were screwed up because they wish to continue adding new and untested features that screw up the whole platform, I mean wtf what a waste of money; common sense would tell you to use that time and money to hire tech's that know wtf they are doing and fix all the problems that have been around since last year. I had more complaints this month than I have ever had, with people not being able to log in or getting logged off right after they get onto a site, not getting emails or not being able to send email or post comments, but let Ning tell it, it has nothing to do with what they did or it only your network not others, I mean for real if I want to hear a Bull Shit line like that I'll go to church! HELLO wtf are you spending money on advertisements for, ah shouldn't you be spending it on getting people that know wtf they are doing & getting your network up to date?... Oops did I say that?? You're damned right I did! I am getting tired of every where I go now I see a Ning advertisement, I mean wtf? Who wants to create a site that isn't even up to date? How long will

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youtube keep the old code up so we can post videos?? If that doesn't bother you, I really hope you are not using IE9 because if you are, you're not on ning, sorry guys but IE9 is not compatible with the ning platform. They have had since January to get ready for it, and what did they focus on.... Oh, firing more people because they can't afford to pay them, buying all the shares back that they sold off to stay a float, one better, wasting their time creating the Ning design studio. That is a waste of money & time, and no one is using it but a select few. It is screwing up the networks every time they work on it for 2 & 1/2 weeks and now spending money on advertisements trying to get more money and more people on Ning.

I personally think it is time for them to wake the fuck up & get people that know how to run a network and manage money, and not feed us all their lies and bull shit, and actually care about their product and the people that are buying it & on it. I know if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all right?? Sorry, old school here believe in freedom of speech and the right to express my self and for those that don't like it ,mainly Ning, well let me give you another old saying YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!!!

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Member Articles A very disturbing & Saddening Issue By Andrew, In the last several months I have come to see how our health policy’s and support system is majorly flawed, right down to our very education system. Those that have to deal with children with disabilities and special needs are finding them selves in a spot where the system is a revolving door that just spins you around till you are at wits end and lost on what to do. Most schools are not equipped to handle these issues & those that are don’t want to pay for the services to help the families get the treatment & care that is needed, they would rather ignore the facts & tell you there is nothing you or they can do, which in fact they are required by law to provide these services, but the don’t knowing that most families can’t

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afford to purse the issues legally, & they in turn make it known that you are responsible if anything happens. But when you do try to fight them you find your self going from one dead end to another. Or they recommend you to an advocacy worker that they know you can’t not afford or that most insurance’s wont cover and the price’s they charge not even the wealthy can really afford. Then trying to find a good doctor and psychologist is almost just as bad it seems most are more concerned about the money than providing the help that is really needed, but even when you do find the right one you will have to have one for medication and trying to get everyone on the same page is just as hard, all this time you pray that your insurance will cover it all, and that you can get all the care that is required, but at this stage we once again find the school system denying access and saying they will not allow people to come in and observe the environment that your child is in, or when told that they need to do more & offer programs & better supervision, at this point they will schedule an IEP and the ignore all issues that have been addressed saying there is no issues. It becomes yet again another endless cycle with no help to be found. The other sad part of this all is to find a treatment center that will except the person and one that your insurance will cover which you will find that most will not, not even your disability or medical or other companies that are suppose to help want to cover these cost’s. Or they will say they only cover these which are in another state that is far away even though there is many in your area, but are not covered by your insurance provider. Why does it seem that there idea of treatment is to send the person several states away, when part of the treatment also needs to be with family. The one part to any treatment or care is that of loved ones being there to show there love & support so why do they want to send an individual far away from there families making it all most impossible for visit’s or if part of the treatment requires your participation that they expect you to have to move when they know you can not afford to do so. Then you have the one’s that are covered by your insurance but have the right to deny an individual for reasons unexplained.

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The more I have seen & help people in this area I find even myself at a lose, how is it that our loved one’s can not get the care & help that is needed, I seen more help come off these web sites than through the agency’s that are suppose to be doing this, and most of it falls unto the fact that the person does not have the money to purse the right care and that is so wrong how is that we can be so greedy when it comes to a child’s care. No matter what the issues may be they still are children and no different then us, and in more ways, many or more gifted than we could ever dream of being. I write this in hope to reach out to others too bring up these issues and maybe get response to ways to go around finding the care that is need through groups and agency’s that do care & have family values as there base, not money and how much they will profit. I have written this for Sweet Dark Angel and the issues that we have been through & are still going through. This is from what I have seen & what I have gone through with her dealing with these organization's trying to get help & treatment.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING AND POSITIVE ENGERY By Shadow Mage It is no secret that positive energy creates more positive energy while negative energy creates more negative energy. I am sure you have heard people say, stay positive and things will turn out alright. Easier said than done at times right? There is merit in this, it is just a matter of attitude and how to stay positive even when it seems impossible to do so. First of all, remember that you are only human and learn not to be so hard or critical of yourself. Learn to forgive yourself and to love yourself as you do others around you. We are our own worst critic, yet if we would heed our own advice we would be all the better for it. Mind science research has suggested that the key to most of the things we want in life, whether it’s abundance, career success, health, happiness

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or enlightenment, lies in a particular state of mind. Scientists call this the Alpha and Theta brainwave frequencies. We attain these states of mind during deep sleep. The question isâ&#x20AC;Ś how do you achieve this state of mind during waking consciousness? And more importantly, how do you use it to overcome your limitations and challenges, triumph over your unwanted habits and negative thought patterns, and enrich certain aspects of your life? It basically comes down to reprogramming yourself to be positive. Making an effort to use positive language in everyday conversation, looking at approaching things with a positive frame of mind, and believing that the outcome of things we deal with or challenges we take on will be positive.

One of the main things people can do to get positive brain chemistry occurring is laughter. They say laughter is the best medicine, and in a way, they are right. Laughter has been proven to relieve stress and create positive brain chemistry, lightening a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emotional state. Meditation is a good way to learn to focus on positive things and attracting positive energy while in a relaxed state of mind. In a meditative state one is still conscious but able to tap into the positive flow and either draw it inward or send it outward depending on the desired result. Meditating also allows us to envision our goals and desired outcomes and allows us to open up to the positive flow and just be in that moment. When someone refers to their happy place, it can refer to a place they go when meditating where they feel relaxed, happy and have a positive state of mind. Why be positive? There are plenty of reasons for us to invoke the power of positive thinking in ourselves, but most of the benefits of a positive attitude can be sized into one of these more prominent "Big Three Lesses" below:

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1. Less Stress Imagine all the times you were complaining about somebody or something - chances are those negative feelings were leaving their mark on you in the form of stress. A lot of times, an occasional complaint may seem like an instant stress reliever. But what about such an attitude in the long run? Getting into the habit of constant grousing, particularly over trivialities or things not directly in our control (like other people's attitude, for instance), is a sure fire way to invite the negative power of stress into our being. Since stress feeds on negativity, reducing stress is a good reason to eliminate negativity and stay positive in life. "Attitude is everything. Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking about what you have that has everyone else is missing." -Unknown 2. Less Worry There will not be too many who say they enjoy being in a state of worry. While worry itself has adverse effects on us, like yes, more stress again, the feeling of worry is not something most of us relish. Thinking positively, and using positive words and phrases in our internal dialogue with ourselves and others, is known to actually reduce these feelings of worry. And along with it, the feelings of frustration, disappointment or other negative emotions that may accompany it, are also reduced, if not eliminated to a great extent. Of course there will be times - like health, financial or personal security situations - when it is quite natural to experience worry. It is important to realize that the power of positive thinking is not a universal prescription to eliminate all kinds of worries from our life. But, here is where a positive mental attitude scores: It frees up our creative mind to enable us to possibly come up with a solution to our problem - where none seemed in sight before - or at least

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get us to compromise with the situation, a bit quicker than otherwise, from the state of worry. Of course, we all experience situations in our lives which - for the lack of better word - "warrant" worry. And for those situations, time itself will have to provide solutions, or the necessary healing. But, most of situations we do experience can do without the nagging worry tagging alongside; and the power of positive thinking helps you get there quicker. "See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial power and energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." -Ralph Marston 3. Less Fear This is the last, but certainly not the least important of the benefits of a positive attitude. Less fear translates to more self-confidence, and a positive self-esteem. This reason alone is worth the "price of admission" into the "daily positive thoughts" mindset. Imagine what a more self-confident you can do! And imagine what a positive self-esteem can do for you! Fear gnaws at our self-esteem, and erodes our self-confidence like nothing else; and worse, sometimes these fears escalate into anxiety attacks as well. Positive phrases, thoughts and mindset help you face your fears - slowly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not an overnight fix, but surely - and do the things you fear, and that helps in improving self-confidence. With the improved power of confidence, you can repeat your performance a little better next time, and that reduces your fear even further confidence builds on itself - until the fear is completely gone; but remember, it all begins with a positive thought. "It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive, to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts."

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-Robert H. Schuller Of course keep in mind that, while it helps, the power of positive thinking alone may not be the only sufficient "medication" for dealing with certain kinds of medically recognized fears, or more accurately phobias. A consultation with a professional may become necessary to handle the specific situation in those circumstances. References: SIA.org Social psychology by david g myers

How do we protect one self from negativity & harmful attacks? By Andrew

How do we protect one self from negativity & harmful attacks? There are many ways to do this but we each have one that is natural to all of us & one that many over look or pay no mind to, I will cover this & a few others as well here. The First & the most important of these is our Aura Our Auras is the most important & in many case the last line of defence & one that many sadly over look & don't realize the true importance of it. Our aura in a sense is a shield, shielding us from everything harmful, it reflects & absorb's these things. It is something that every student in magic works hard at in strengthening daily. For those that can see auras I am sure you have walked by someone & seen there aura full of wholes &

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black spots in it & also seen others that are bright & flowing w/ energy which is a healthy aura & a strong one at that. When spirits or another person attacks us they attack the aura trying to weaken it, put a whole in it so they can then get to your physical body & spiritual center, & once in they can cause you pain, sickness & even death. they will look for weak points in your aura & attack from there or if there isn't they will summon spirits to attack you & weaken the aura enough so they can break through it & there by getting to you. How to strengthen our auras There are several ways this is done...lol... The main one being the L B R yes the lesser banishing ritual, it strengthens & hardens our aura & mends it through the power words that we use while doing the ritual. The other way is by using power words & blasting our aura with them, every power word has its own energy & you feel it vibrating through you as you say it, it affects the aura in the same way. The other way is a simple breathing excersise, picture our aura and breath in deeply for the count of 5 & then exhale for the count of 5 repeat this process for about 10 min each day or when you feel the need to refresh your aura & in time this will become second hand nature to U & you will do it without out knowing that you are. Another good excersise is the Middle Pillar Ritual it works lovely & leaves you feeling fully charge & refreshed, & it mends & heals your aura as well.

The 2nd form of protection Is the L.B.R. I guess we all seen this one coming, considering it is the 1st thing taught to must students & you hear me mention it all the time, now you may understand why. It is our own personal ritual circle, even when we are inside a circle we are also or you should be in this as well it is what it is a banishing circle keeping all things out that are not meant to be in our lives.

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This is what is called the walking circle & does take years of practice to get to the point where it becomes second hand nature, hence why it is repeatedly taught & retaught, so it happens without thought.

The 3rd form of protection is crossing up It is said as we become awake to other force & beliefs that we no longer stand in this world but now stand in otherworlds. Once our mind is open we see the world as it really is, we are no longer a part of the normal world that others see. So when we cross up like crossing our legs or arms we basically disconnect ourselves from the spiritual world & become that of this world & by doing so we block the attacks that have been directed at us, & given us time to recover & yeah you guessed it put up our own circle & I do what is needed to be done.

The 4th form is a simple gesture this is a way to deflect an attack simply take your left or right hand raise it to your shoulder & sweep it across your chest to either side depending which hand u used away from you, there for redirecting the attack to them if you like or to nothing but the open air.

The 5th form is that of our guardians Almost all of us have some form of guardians, weather they be familiars or other spirits that we have summoned to do so or as some I know born with, & there soul job is to protect us from attacks & anything or one trying to do harm a pawn us, And they will do so till they have defeated that which was sent or are destroyed. If they have been w/ you for awhile then they are just has skilled as you are for the grow & learn as we do, & not to mention that they already know things that fall under there own

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domains. So in a sense someone as to 1st go through them, then your circle, then your aura, the only way this does not apply is that you have been found guilty of spiritual law, then you can summon an angel & still get no help from it, which only leaves you w/ the circle & your aura & your very own natural wit to get through it. So now you may all know why your aura is so important & why the L.B.R is just as important, it is truly the only 2 for sure self defences against attacks, especially when spiritual law comes into play, because after we pass the age of essence we are all guilty of it in some form or another & I do know have a Female practitioner that was able to find a 9 year old guilty of it, which in most case the age of innocence is puberty so once you know right from wrong you are now accountable for spiritual law. There are many other ways to many to name a pentacle worn around the neck, crystals, & the alike give us protection as well, but the main one is that of our aura. Even in ritual work we use protections besides these such as safe words to slapping our hand down on the alter to banish everything & to close the ritual, to the most dangerous one that is only used in life or death situations & that is to deny & disbelieve that such things even exist, & that does work but it is damaging to the mind & will take many long months to fix that damage that we just did.

15 things a Battered Woman or even a man should know! Posted by Lady Paradise by Susan G. S. McGee VALIDATION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; support, belief, belief that what sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suffered is abuse and is wrong, belief in the details of her story, belief that she is not crazy, belief in the sometimes unbelievable malice and planned terrorism of the

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batterer. SUPPORT, COMFORT, RESPITE – to be told that she is a worthwhile, valuable, wonderful human being, that she is lovable, that she matters – to be told over and over and over. She needs some plain old down home kindness and caring. She needs some time to herself. TO BE ASKED “What do you want? What do you need?” And she needs her answers taken seriously. NOT TO BE EVALUATED, NOT TO BE BLAMED, NOT TO BE PATRONIZED – not to have her whole life, character, plans, intentions, and actions scrutinized, evaluated and judged, just because she’s had the misfortune of falling in love with/being entrapped by a domestic terrorist.1 To be asked – and then to be reminded – what she did right, how she protected herself, how she protected her children, how she survived, how she prevailed, how she sustained her energy throughout brutal attacks. To be told that it’s not her fault. TO BE GIVEN HOPE. To be offered connection with other battered women who have survived and escaped. To know that many, many battered women get away, stay away and flourish. A SEA IN WHICH SHE CAN SWIM SAFELY – temporary safety in shelter, safety in her own home, or in new affordable housing. TO BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO “get it” – loving family and friends, co-workers, neighbors, colleagues, bosses, health care professionals, law enforcement folk, school and day care personnel – people who understand that:“just leaving” is difficult under the best of circumstances, but almost impossible when batterers stalk, harass, gain access to their victim through custody and visitation of their children; that the batterers’ “problem” is not poor impulse control, or a tortured childhood, but “his sense of entitlement to the life, services, affection, undivided attention and loyalty of his victim”;3 and that battering is not impulsive, but instrumental – that he doesn’t have poor impulse control, a temper problem, a short fuse, an explosive personality, but that he has carefully planned the abuse to get what he wants or to punish her for breaking his rules. “I would have put emotional support at the top of the list because without

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it all other support is ineffective. If I didn't believe I could leave, cope, stay away, survive, then I wouldn't have even tried. In those crucial first days, weeks, months, years, it is vital that others believe in us because we don't believe in ourselves. That doesn't mean I wasn't conscious of other needs. I was and that's what terrified me. What if my kids went hungry? What if we didn't have a roof over our heads? What if he was right that I was a complete f*&^#p and the source of everyone's problems? What if the court gave them to him because I messed everything up? What if he killed me and they were left behind to be raised by him? What I needed more than anything was a safe place, a cocoon, to live in, to nestle in until my soul wasn't so tired, until the numbness wore off and I could think again. A place without time limits because if I knew those time limits were in place, I couldn't have rested, would have worried the whole time. I know that isn't likely to happen for anyone but that's what I needed.” Loretta Kemsley, a writer who uses her skills to give voice to all those not yet able to speak out. HER CHILDREN. She needs to be able to keep her children and keep them safe – not to be threatened by: the batterers’ kidnapping; kidnap attempts; abduction through the courts (getting custody); threats of violence and kidnapping through visitation; deliberate alienation of the children from her through horrible and untrue tales; batterer raping and beating the children; having the children removed by child welfare because the batterer is beating, raping and neglecting them and the police and child welfare can’t stop him, etc. She also needs help and protection for pets and farm animals. TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN HER COMMUNITY – community of faith, culture, education, family, workplace, without interference and harassment from the batterer including the batterer, spreading careful lies and half truths about her character, fidelity, mental health, use of alcohol and other drugs, violence and parenting. This is particularly important for survivors from small closed communities – minority faiths, military bases, reservations, immigrant communities, lesbian or gay male community, deaf community – communities that provide substantial economic,

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emotional and survival support to its members. The Humane Society now has a program about animal abuse and its connection to other forms of violence. Prior to that, however, many of us knew how batterers killed, tortured, and threatened pets and farm animals in order to inculcate hopelessness and despair and to prove that he was capable of any atrocity. And the batterers’ allies, hostile family members, and other people he persuades to do his dirty work for him. Particularly communities that are under pressure or are experiencing discrimination and injustice. Obviously there are many more than are referenced here. TO BE GIVEN ACCURATE, UPDATED, ENERGETIC, CONCRETE INFORMATION about the dynamics of domestic violence, the opportunities for help in her community, the actual practices that occur among police, courts, etc. without thought of the political ramification. To be told the truth -- that the system doesn’t always work, that in some places it rarely works, and it’s not her fault. TO BE OFFERED INFORMATION about sexism, about how women are routinely degraded and bought and sold, about how her experience is part of a world wide system to keep women under control, that the tactics of the batterer are commonly used by assailants throughout the world, and by those who abuse power over others. ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE LEGAL REPRESENTATION – for custody, visitation, divorce, and advice and assistance in criminal matters. ACCESS TO ADVOCACY – high quality, ferocious, respectful, culturally sensitive advocacy – the kind that makes you feel that you always have someone on your side. Someone to stand up for her, fight for her and believe in her. TO BE ABLE TO CALL FOR HELP AND GET IT. When she calls the police, goes to court, tells her doctor, contacts child welfare, in other words, interacts with systems set up to enhance her safety she needs a helpful response. She needs not to be punished for seeking help. A CHANCE FOR (ECONOMIC) SURVIVAL – help with credit repair, money, housing, education and employment opportunities, child care, transportation, quality medical care, dental and eye coverage – as well as access to mental health and substance abuse services when needed.

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ÂŠ April, 2004. Susan McGee. SusanGSMcGee@aol.com With many thanks to the 5rs, especially Gale Martin, Cheryl Soehl, Loretta Kemsley, Vietta Helmle, Linda Leavitt, Lydia Walker, Rose Garrity, and Janyse Ashley for thoughts and inspiration. Feel free to reproduce, send around, and post this article for all educational, nonprofit, and hellraising purposes. Please cite me as the author and do not change without permission.

Vampiric Magick by SunKat Vampiric magic is a particular fringe skill of Necromancy focussed on helping the necromancer survive the ordeals of coming in contact with death essences. Instead of simply locking down and bearing the ill effects of death magic, Vampiric magics were born to shoulder some of the weight by allowing a degree of rejuvenation as well as the effects of necromancy to coexist. Only this much is the truth behind vampire tales and the vampire cults that exist around the world. Though there are no "vampires", per se, there are those necromancers that have refined the ability to use death to drain from the life forces of others. The precise means of doing this is up to the caster to discover but, through absorption of the life forces of other creatures, the necromancer can waylay many of the adverse effects of their art and retain a relatively normal degree of health and well-being at the expense of others. Though there is no proof that this kind of magic can actually extend life beyond the normal duration, it has shown the power to counteract the negative effects of using death magics and to allow the practitioner to live normally. Historically, vampiric magic has taken many different forms. There are those that have consumed real blood in attempts to drain life, based on ideas as far back as the Bible's statement that ".. the life of the flesh is in the blood", sexual vampires (hearkening to

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Aristotle's claim that life is in the sexual fluids of either gender), and those that drain life force purely, somewhat reminiscent of the breathism and psychic vampire traditions. Vampiric necromancy does not mean you're a vampire, but is an appropriate metaphor for the nature of this skill. Direct Energy Vampirism Probably the most commonly practiced technique of vampiric magick is energy Vampirism, also called psychic Vampirism. Something that article doesn't go into are the many ways in which energy Vampirism can be performed, for example via a servitor, in dreams, or by targeting a specific type of energy (e.g. sexual energy, energy produced by religious fervor, the energy produced by some disease or illness - used for healing - or whatever). Sexual Vampirism: Another form of energy Vampirism, but typically practiced by those who have refined their tastes to prefer energy released through sex. While vampires are typically portrayed as dominant beings, sexual Vampirism can be carried out equally well from a position of submission. Other Emotional States: In a similar way to the preference of some for energy released during sex, others have a preference for energy released by other emotional states, for example anger or grief. Reversed Energy Vampirism: One of very few uses of energy Vampirism I've encountered that is actually intended to be beneficial to someone other than the vampire. The process is simple enough, but it can be extremely physically, psychically and emotionally draining if the donor energy vampire is low on energy for some reason, such as not having fed lately or through illness or injury. It is simply a reversal of the feeding process. Rather than pulling energy out of the subject and into himself, the vampire pushes energy from himself into the subject. Initially, a visualization of occurring can help as a focus for the donor vampire, as can pooling the energy into one part of the body (the hands, for example) and from there transferring the energy into the subject. A vampire servitor can also be applied to this task, given instructions to feed the energy it collects into the chosen subject rather than into its creator or into a vessel.

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A vampire can use similar techniques to gather energy from its immediate surroundings and feed the subject from this, acting as a conduit of sorts. This technique can be used to aid in the healing process. Interestingly enough, it also seems that if a psychic vampire who feeds regularly gives energy to a sanguinarian vampire, this will eliminate indefinitely the sanguinarian's blood cravings and any negative symptoms which would normally occur if they didn't feed. Feeding on disease energy: drawing normally detrimental energies from the subject. Energy Vampirism can and does occur on an instinctive level, but here I am dealing with it in the context of a willed magickal act, rather than as an innate part of one's nature. However, natural psi-vamps may also find magical vampiric techniques to be of use. Vampire Servitors A servitor, thought-form, or egregore is an artificially created incorporeal entity made for a specific purpose in order to carry out a magician's will. Most vampiric servitors are created with the intent of draining energy (generally from a specific target) and passing that energy back to the magician. Vampire Glamour's The vampire is an intrinsically glamorous creature, able to alter others' perception of itself. Vampiric glamour is most usually a part of energy Vampirism. The vampire will create glamour's in order to make its feeding more efficient. The most common example of glamour of this sort may be found in sexual Vampirism, where the vampire will project various attributes in order to make herself more alluring to her prey. Working With Vampiric Entities Vampiric magick, in my opinion, also includes such things as working with vampiric entities like incubi and succubi, as well as various deities. Attaining Vampiric Qualities Some forms of blood magick fall under the description, as do rites which are designed to endow certain properties of the vampire upon the operator. Magick For Use Against Vampires

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More common than any other form of magick relating to vampires, this is really rather irrelevant to this section. While a vampiric magician may well have cause to rid themselves of the attentions of vampires of various sorts, this is not intrinsic to the practice of magickal Vampirism, and so will be dealt with in another article. Unlike mortal vampires (who also refer to themselves as real vampires), practitioners of vampiric magick, although many have an affinity with the vampire archetype, generally don't feel that they have some innate need for energy or blood which must be fulfilled. They instead take up vampiric practices by choice, and often for a specific reason (e.g. as a form of magickal attack, to gather energy for a specific purpose, or because they find it pleasurable).

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Featured Members of The Month Gossamer Wings

She has left us in awe this month with such wonderful posts, teaching us new things and bringing some life to our lives and away to better our health & spiritual walks in life, for this she is being featured, but also for being a kindred spirit and a good friend to all those she has befriended. So do stop by her page & let her know how much you have enjoyed all that she has done for each of us. http://therealms.ning.com/profile/ChristineZimmerman?xg_source=activity

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Christopher Stewart

A very talented writer and composer, a person that I have a lot of respect for, for joining our site and posting such wonderful work. It is people like him that make each of our sites what they are, they come on and just start posting to our groups & posting blogs, it is people like Chris that make having these sites & being a part of them worth it, & For that Thank you. I do ask that each of you stop by his page and congratulate him for being our featured member of the month. http://therealms.ning.com/profile/ChristopherStewart

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Featured Groups Women causes and information Created by Lady Paradise Different things that have happen to woman things to be aware of and diffrent causes to help woman! Members: 12 http://therealms.ning.com/group/womencausesandinformation This is a wonderful group for women & men one that is full of information and helpful articles, breath taking stories that will inspire you. Do take time

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to check it out and give support to this group for it is one that is needed every where and one that we all should take time & focus on.

Our graphics collections Created by Sweet Dark Angel our collections to share~ feel free to add to it! Members: 40

http://therealms.ning.com/group/ourgraphicscollections This is a group where you can share all the pic's that you so love or show off a collection that you have, or even a favorite artist. To me art is the one thing that move a person leaving a lasting impression, so do check this group out & add to it for a picture is truly worth a 1000nd words...

Herbs Created by Andrew Rutledge Creator The use & study of herbs for magickal practice & all the uses for them & there properties... Members: 29 http://therealms.ning.com/group/herbs Being that time of the year were we are in the planting mood this groups

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just seems to call out asking what does your magical pantry look like??? This group is one that you will learn many things from, and one that may even make you life a bit healthier and free from the chemicals that are in today's medicines. so do stop by & check it out.

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Featured Member Articles International Pagan Coming Out Day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2nd By Persephone

Coming out to someone is a decision only you can make and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a decision best made when you are ready to do so. IPCOD encourages Pagans who are ready to come on out! There are benefits, personally and for our religious community as a whole, as more Pagans come out. Some of these benefits include the reduction of anxiety caused by living a double life and creating a climate of greater acceptance for all Pagans. Although the IPCOD website is still under construction, it has a wealth of information and more is being added all the time. You can find out things

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such as: Our Guide to Coming Out What we mean when we talk about coming out How hosting a Ball can help achieve equity How to become a local IPCOD Organizer Towards the bottom of the Home Page are articles and personal in or out stories sent to us by Pagans detailing their experiences coming 'out' or recounting what happened that has caused them to stay 'in' for now. IPCOD’S GUIDE TO COMING OUT Coming out helps you to develop as a whole individual, allows for greater empowerment, and makes it easier for you to develop a positive self-image. By coming out, you will be able to share with others who you are and what is important to you, rather than having to hide or lie about your identity. Coming out can free you of the fear of being “found out” and helps you avoid living a double life, which can be extremely stressful and demoralizing. Pagans being “out” about who we are to those who love us, to those we interact with on a daily basis, changes peoples’ opinions and changes the world. It encourages a greater atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance. Outlining some of the benefits and risks of coming out is not meant to convince anyone to choose to come out or not come out in any given situation. Rather, thinking about some of the possible outcomes of such a choice can clarify your decision by helping you determine the appropriate time for coming out and preparing you for possible reactions. Benefits of Coming Out • Eliminating the worry of what will happen if your ‘secret’ is discovered. • Ability to live your life honestly. • Developing closer, more genuine relationships with friends and family. • Being part of a community with others with whom you have something in common.

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• Helping to dispel myths and stereotypes by speaking about your own experience and educating others. • Being a role model for others. Risks of Coming Out • Not everyone will be understanding or accepting. • Some relationships may be permanently changed. • In extreme cases, coming out may cause economic hardship or could have a negative impact on child custody cases. Some things to consider as you contemplate coming out as a Pagan: Is now the best time? The choice you are considering can be very difficult. Consider carefully which course of action is most consistent with living your life authentically. Also, consider the timing and potential impact on your livelihood, as well as that of family members. Who should I tell first? Give careful consideration to the people to whom you make your initial disclosure. You may wish to consider telling one close friend or family-member first–someone whose high regard for you is not likely to be impaired by a choice that they may not immediately understand. You gain important experience and confidence in this conversation, and you may better understand what works well and what does not in the discussion. As you become increasingly confident and take greater satisfaction in your public identity as a Pagan, casual disclosures to friends and others become much easier and more spontaneous. Where and when should I tell them? You may feel that a casual mention during a convenient opening in a conversation may be the best approach, or alternatively you may wish to inform those whom you wish to tell that you have something very important that you need to discuss with them. In that case, you should choose a place and time that will be a pleasant and relaxed context for all involved–perhaps a place that is associated with good memories for you and them. This consideration is particularly important for talking to friends and family, and perhaps less so when coming out to colleagues or coworkers. In such instances, an attitude of nonchalant openness is recommended. This point is addressed in greater

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detail in the following sections. Do not apologize! Everyone deserves to be who they are and to be respected as such. The choice to come out takes courage and a willingness to face the unknown despite considerable anxiety. This is an admirable action that warrants no apology. Speak confidently, clearly, and assertively. Allow your excitement about this choice and about who you are as a Pagan to enter into your voice and nonverbal behaviors. “Coming out” to family and friends: Perhaps the most effective thing you can do when initiating conversations with family and friends about being Pagan is to imagine that you are in their place, anticipating and empathizing with their possible reactions to the news that you are bringing them. Imagine how you would feel if someone you loved deeply came to you and said they were leaving you and you would never see them again. Imagine how shocked, sad, and fearful you might be in response. Such an assertion might at first seem like a gross overstatement and not comparable to your situation. Nevertheless, telling someone that you no longer share deep core beliefs and values they have long associated with the foundation of the bonds and family and/or friendship can be experienced as a deep betrayal and loss of connection–comparable to your leaving them forever. Be mindful that close family and friends may be fearful that your not sharing their faith means that you will be separated from them in the afterlife. They may be afraid that you are being “brainwashed” into a “cult”, and that you will become someone that they no longer know or can have a relationship with. Your situation may also represent to them a manifestation of their personal fears of loss of faith. If they nurture doubts, they may resent the fact that your choice has strengthened those doubts. Finally, they may feel that they have failed you or let you down in some way, that you have made this dramatic and significant change “on their watch”. The best response to any of these reactions is patience, warmth, gentleness, understanding, and empathy. Tell them that you understand

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their fears and concerns and that in their situation you might feel similarly. Reassure them that you are happy with your choice, and that you derive as much spiritual fulfillment, satisfaction, and greater self-awareness from you new found faith as they continue to do from theirs. Reassure them you understand that your life is still not perfect, but that you are connected to greater sense of personal meaning and purpose. Let them know you are grateful for their love and support during such a challenging time. Above all share humor about the situation, at times and in situations, where it might be useful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming outâ&#x20AC;? to colleagues or coworkers: In this situation, the best approach may be nonchalance. Be candid with employers about your reasons for requesting time off for spiritual holidays, without going into overwhelming or unnecessary details. Be truthful with coworkers in response to questions about your religion or spiritual beliefs, without behaving as if you believe them to be unusual or strange. Let them come to you with their curiosity rather than volunteering information that has not been requested or sought after. You may wish to consider allowing the level of self disclosure in which you indulge with coworkers and colleagues to increase gradually over time, letting them get to know you as a reliable, solid, and stable person who is someone they can trust to help them accomplish the shared mission. Remember the laws against religious discrimination in the workplace insure that you enjoy the same rights as your coworkers, but do not be over-ready to cry discrimination at minor slights based on small misunderstandings. Here again, gentle humor may help resolve many difficult situations where aggressive or hostile defensiveness would not. http://pagancomingoutday.com/

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~RAYVHENWING Vs 'ME' GENERATION SYNDROME!...~ By; Vlada aka Rayvhenwing

RAYVHENWING Vs 'ME' GENERATION SYNDROME... OK Im a realist/activist/genuine nice guy,humanitarian and I know the difference between clinical depression and sadness,Im not trying to claim they are the same thing? I merely would like to argue that most people are quick to assume depression when some honest self examination might just reveal plain old sadness.They say to themselves, I have a good job,plenty of money,a nice home,the latest technology,good looking partner etc what reason do I have to be depressed? Upon communicating these facts with their doctors,while also admitting to vague thoughts of suicide,the end result is a man in a white coat who replies,"Good point" he's your 'Prozac' pills... No one ever considers that happiness doesn't always come in the form of a boat or tropical vacation.TV tells us that a new car with heated cup holder will make us happy,or a mobile phone that plays MP3's or that new pair of shoes or whatever. So we buy and buy and when it doesnt work TV is quick to remind us that people in other countries are starving and poverty is rife,so we should be grateful for what we have got. Do you know the real reason I think people are so sad? LONLINESS. simple loneliness I think people are so Ghod damn lonely they cant see straight. I will use 'Post secret' as an example. Dont you think its just a little sad and pathetical so many people have to write down their secrets on a postcard and send them in anonymously because there is not a single person in their lives they feel comfortable confiding in? Technoherantly 'blogs' boast that there are 71 million forums right now ,most of which contain people who reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings to complete strangers likely because no one in real life pays attention to them. No one sees anything wrong with this either. In this day of age its hard to admit you're lonely.after all,were surrounded

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by an endlessly vast amount of people on a daily basis.We have co-workers,extended families and shopping buddies sometimes we have children,foolishly hoping that a small baby will fulfil our needs for companionship.When none of that works we buy a dog, if at the end of the day nothing fills the void,we say to ourselves 'I have it all,so why am I still unhappy' I have no right to be unhappy,I must be clinically depressed... The issue isn't the amount of people in our lives though? The issue is that society as a whole has lost the ability to meaningfully connect with other people,in other words the 'Me Generation' has ruined modern conversation to the point where we cannot form anything but the most superficial of relationships with people we'd like to be closest to. How did this happen?,Well this is how, I think I know let me tell you!.. 1/ The Self-Esteem Police Produced Self -Obsessed Adults! The very day we became obsessed with the self esteem of our children is the first day shit started going down hill,We told our children they were unique and special and perfect.We insisted that the world would one day find them beautiful and smart . We told them their individuality was their greatest asset and refused to criticise them even when it was sorely needed. The end result,a generation of children who are endlessly fascinated with themselves,who cant for the life of them understand why the rest of the world isn't as enamoured by their utterly unique genius minds as they are. Teaching our children to be confident is one thing,but we took it too far,our children are infatuated with themselves sometimes to the point of delusion with so much of their love and energy devoted inward,how can we expect them to feel love for another? Self-esteem brainwashing dooms people into becoming narcissistic bungholes who generally believe the whole world revolves around them. 2/ Diminished abilities to recognise social cues! Too much time spent on the Net and Txt Messaging on cell phones has diminished our abilities to recognise social cues,I spent one afternoon

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walking around the shops with a friend of mine to find this out. She was yammering about something ridiculous and no matter how many times I tried to change the subject she kept referring back in our original discussion.Finally I gave up and for two solid hours,my only reply to her was "Mmm-hm" SHE DID'NT EVEN NOTICE - she happily wobbled on for 2 straight hours absolutely oblivious to the fact that I had quit listening to her I was amazed. Frankly I blame the Internet online or txt messaging,its hard to determine weather or not you're boring the person you're talking to.You dont see them looking around the room,or starring off into space,or sighing distractedly. A few well placed 'Lols' or 'Hehe's' can fool you into believing they are actually engaged in the conversation,so its really no surprise to me that so many people totally lack the ability to recognise when they're boring someone when they attempt a real life dialogue. This explains why people can actually maintain completely one sided conversations that last for hours strictly about their frigging cats or dogs,for ghods sake.... In reality it takes two people to have a meaningful enjoyable conversation. How can we expect to connect to people on a deeper level if we constantly fail to engage our conversational partners? Right now there are people reading this and thinking, "A true friend will want to talk about anything I want to talk about,They would not be bored by anything I say!" You can thank the Self-Esteem Police for that ideology...... 3/ We quit listening and waiting for our turn to speak! Have you ever been talking to a someone when it finally hit you that the other person wasn't processing a single thing you were saying,but merely waiting for your lips to stop moving so they can say all the things bouncing around in their heads? Welcome to the Kindergarten Mentality applied to adult conversations! You go! Now I'll go,its your turn! Now my turn! Look at us! Were sharing! Weeee... A vital part of communication is to listen to and process what the other

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person is saying. You're response should play off the statement of your counterpart,otherwise you might as well be talking to yourself. The only kindergarten doctrine that should apply to adult conversations is the Golden Rule,Namely if you want other people to listen to you,you should be willing to listen to them,quit talking AT people and start talking To people. 4/ We Ask Questions We Dont Want The Answers To! The worst example: "How are you doing today"? The person who asked this question might as well give up and say 'fine' right off the bat,because chances are that's the only answer the asker is willing to hear. Dont believe me? Try answering 'Terrible' Watch in amazement as the asker airily replies 'Good to hear' as they sashay away. Some people believe simply asking is being polite. You can thank the Self-Esteem Police for those people also,Im sorry but putting forth the least amount of effort doesn't win any courtesy points in my book. Taking 5 sec's out of your day to slow down & actually show interest in the answer is polite,Asking a question merely because you want recognition for your condescending form of pseudo-caring is actually pretty rude. In a similar vein are the people who ask you a question only because they want you to ask them a question, for example: A. "What did you do this weekend?" B."Well I went to a movie and..." A. 'Interrupting' "Guess what I did this weekend!" In closing if you dont care dont ask.Keep your shallow displays of insubstancual friendliness to yourself. 5/ We Use Our Peers To Validate Our Decisions & Actually Sacrifice Honesty To Be Nice! I learned a long time ago that many of my friends never actually wanted my advice when they asked for it,instead they wanted for me to validate whatever stupid conclusion they already came to.I was merely a puppet meant to smile and nod at all the appropriate places. When I refused and insisted on actually communicating to them what I really thought the entire conversation shifted to them trying to convince me that they were making the correct decision. An example:FRIEND: "Vlada tell me the truth do you think my boyfriend will

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ever leave his wife for me?" V:"No,I Don't",FRIEND: "But I can tell he loves me by the look in his eyes!And he wrote me a poem" V: "That may be so,but he's still going home to another woman at night" FRIEND: "Read this poem!Seriously,how can you read this poem and not think he loves me?" V: "The poem is nice I agree,but its a poor substitute for real love and dedication" FRIEND: "Are you saying I should stop seeing him?" V: "Yes that's what Im saying" FRIEND:"But he loves me! Dont you understand that he loves me?I mean.just yesterday.. Its a exercise in fruitility really.My choices are to pretend to be convinced and tell her that her relationship has a chance or to maintain my opinion and risk wearing the mean tag. My question is whats the point?What do we have to gain by forming relationships that revolve around validating ourselves through other people?Why maintain a friendship if you don't respect the person's honest opinion?When did honesty become synonymous with cruelty anyway?How can we ever learn to connect with other people when we cant see them as individuals,but instead see them as reflections of ourselves? Much like most problems in life.the solution to our loneliness is simple,If you want people to care about you,you should care about them,if you lack the ability to do that then grab your Prozac prescription and frigging SHUT THE BEEP UP! But either way,quit blaming your brain,blame yourself for becoming part of the 'Me-Generation'.....

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Pantheism or Pagan? Maybe Both.... By: Persephone PANTHEISM is a profound feeling of reverence for Nature and the wider Universe It fuses religion and science, and concern for humans with concern for nature. It provides the most solid basis for environmental ethics. It is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than your own self.

Pagans are pantheists. Pantheism (Greek pan=Everything, theos=God) means regarding the universe and nature as divine, or equating the universe with God. There is a close link between pantheism and modern paganism. Many pagans proclaim themselves to be pantheists. "I embrace Pantheism, acknowledging that the Divine is everywhere and in everything" says Selena Fox in I am a Pagan. "My worship takes the form of Divine communion with Nature." "The world is holy," writes Margot Adler in Drawing down the Moon. "Nature is holy. The body is holy. Sexuality is holy. The mind is holy. The imagination is holy. You are holy....Thou art Goddess. Thou art God. Divinity is immanent in all Nature. It is as much within you as without." On its Web page, the pagan Church of All Worlds says it "embraces the theology of pantheism, as we experience what has been called `God,' as an immanent quality inherently manifest in every living Being, from a single

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cell to an entire planet--and likely the universe itself." Finally, could there be a more beautiful expression of pantheism than Wiccan Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess: I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, call unto thy soul: Arise, and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return; and before My face, beloved of gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals Pantheists are not always pagans. But pantheism and paganism have not always been so closely linked. The word pagan was already in use in the later Roman empire, to mean a nonChristian believer in the traditional pantheon of Rome. The name pantheism was not used before the early eighteenth century but the belief that nature and the universe are divine can be dated back to the Greek philosopher Heraklitus of Ephesus. "The cosmos is, and was, and always will be ever living fire," he wrote. Heraklitus was no pagan: he had nothing but contempt for the worship of "statues" and for the Bacchic Mysteries of Dionysos. The strongest school of pantheists were the Stoics, founded in the fourth century BC. They included Epictetus, Seneca and the Roman emperor

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Marcus Aurelius. Though many of them called their cosmic divinity Zeus, they thought of it as the totality of the material universe. They were not polytheists. Modern pantheism has had many distinguished representatives, ranging from Spinoza through the Lakeland poets to Albert Einstein and Gene Roddenberry. These well-known pantheists, however, were not pagans either. Paganism and pantheist "theology." So if ancient pagans were not pantheists, and ancient and many modern pantheists were not pagans, why do so many modern pagans say they are pantheists? First of all, the times are a'changing. The rise of pantheistic religions is one of the key religious trends in the West. Not just pure pantheism, but a whole range of religions that see divinity out there in front of our noses, in nature and the night sky: Taoism, Zen Buddhism, paganism, deep ecology, Native American religions, or forms of Christianity verging on pantheism such as Creation Spirituality. This pantheistic wave is fed by the destruction of nature and the earth proceeding all around us - the more we risk losing it, the more of us realize how deeply we value it. Many of us too are fed up with life-hating religions from ancient times that tell us that this earth is no more than a staging post on the road to heaven, and this body is just a cage for our eternal souls. Love of nature, and feelings of a pervasive divinity in nature and in ourselves, are possibly the strongest reasons why many people are attracted to paganism in the first place. I would guess that for most people the need for a religion that affirms life, the body, sex, nature and the universe is more powerful than the need to have a variety of gods to

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worship. Pantheism is instinctive: it is every child's reaction of wonder to the world around it. Polytheism comes later, if at all, and it is learned.

Pagan polytheism: literal or symbolic? Many modern pagans regard Goddess and God, or gods and goddesses not as real literal entities with distinct powers, but as symbols or aspects of the one Divinity of nature, expressed in different forms in land, sea and sky. If you regard natural reality as divine, and learn to look at it in a different way, then you do begin to see a numinous quality not just in the whole universe, but also in many particular things - in the ocean, in mountain streams, in deer, in trees, in the sun. It's tempting then to personify the divinity of each of these. With enormous unified wholes like the sun, nature or the ocean, this is natural and harmless. They can be acknowledged as centres of numinous power without losing any of our ability to perceive each one of them directly. However, if we think of them as disguised human-type deities, there may be a risk of not seeing them as they are, but of anthropomorphizing them. There are perhaps dangers in believing literally in too many subsidiary deities. If someone loves one particular tree, then it is that tree that possesses a numinous quality for them. If they look at that one tree and think "the god of trees is in there," then to some extent they are blanking out the particular tree in a grand abstraction. They may not perceive it in its vibrant unique individuality. From this point of view, animism - believing that each natural thing has its own individual spark of divinity - presents fewer risks. Pantheism is quite compatible with a sophisticated animism. Pantheism, in other words, is perfectly compatible with a purely symbolic

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or playful use of gods and goddesses of nature, as long as the user remains fully aware that these are merely symbols for a deeper reality and never allows them to obscure their intense perception of everything in the real world in all its individuality and uniqueness. But pantheism is not compatible with literal belief in multiple gods and goddesses, even if the believer feels that these are only subsidiary deities. Literal polytheism is simply that: polytheism. It is not pantheism. What pantheism can offer to paganism is a coherent way of looking at the divinity of nature and the universe - a solid rock to stand on, if you like, while experimenting with all the varied and playful ways of celebrating divinity that paganism can offer.

Pantheism and pagan ceremony If pantheism can be the "deep theology" of paganism, then to some extent paganism can be the ritual and ceremony of pantheism. Straight pantheists have been very weak on the ceremony and ritual front. They have usually been more interested in philosophy. This has been perhaps the central weakness of pantheism, the real reason why pure pantheism never got moving as an organized (or even a disorganized) religion. Most people feel a need for religious ceremony and ritual. It gives them a sense of belonging. It allows them to join with others who share their beliefs, and to express their beliefs in a concrete way. At the decisive stages of life - birth, maturity, marriage, death - ceremony helps to link the individual with the progression of life as a whole. So pantheism needs ceremony and ritual if it is ever to get moving as a religion. Now if you sat down with a blank sheet of paper and tried to invent pantheist sacred times from scratch, as an exercise, then the

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equinoxes and solstices would be compulsory choices. You would probably add key agricultural dates - planting, harvesting, gathering fruits - though these would vary from one place to another. A day of the dead would come in handy for remembering lost loved ones, and ancestors in general. But these feasts exist already in the pagan year. They represent celebrations that have been held for thousands of years to cement our links with nature. There is no need to start from scratch. The job has been done, and the link with the past is worth retaining for those who appreciate it. One might also add in some more occasions for special marking or special awareness - the monthly lunar-tide-female cycle, the daily solar cycle. Personally I feel that the times in the year when we are blessed with showers of shooting stars (the Perseids, peaking in early August, and the Geminids, peaking in the second week in December) should become annual festivals. Of course, we all do different things at those times, but for all of us they are alive with significance. At all these times we are reminded powerfully of how we are linked with nature, and how nature is linked with the rhythms of the solar system.

The tricky question of magic Magic is not focal or central to paganism. Pagans can be pagans without using or believing in magic. The association of paganism and magic is to some extent a historical accident. And from the point of view of the scientific pantheist, this association is unfortunate.

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One tenet of scientific pantheism is to keep an open mind. Fifty years ago mainstream medicine would never have accepted that the mind can influence the course of disease. Today the placebo effect is well proven and quite strong. We know that the state of the mind can affect the state of the immune system and the course and prognosis of many illnesses. So scientific pantheism would be obliged to keep an open mind about magic. Our minds can influence our own bodies, our actions, our determination, our focus and concentration. We may also become more persuasive, more able to influence others to do as we would like. If we "psych" ourselves up sufficiently, we are often capable of feats that seemed almost impossible. But can our minds control matter, other than our own bodies, directly? Can they influence other minds out of our physical reach, just by thinking? If these things were possible, it would mean that the human mind were separate from matter, and able to move through time and space independently of the body. To accept this would involve a radical rethink of the scientific pantheist outlook, of science as a whole, and of most people's normal ways of looking at the world. As Carl Sagan remarked: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Before the reality of magic is regarded as fact, before we radically revise science and philosophy, there would have to be the most rigorous and repeated tests showing a clear effect, far beyond what could be expected by chance. Until such evidence is available, the empirical pantheist would do well to withhold believe in magic. It may well be that, even when magic appears to be successful, other explanations are much more likely. For example, humans regularly overestimate the odds against many types of coincidence in a world with 5,700 million inhabitants, and may attribute coincidence to the workings of providence or of magic. We may forget the times when things didn't

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work out the way we wanted, more readily than we forget the times when they did. Pantheism and paganism: A symbiosis? Many pagans have already embraced pantheism, and most would benefit by realizing that a nature-inspired pantheism probably underlies their attraction to paganism, and exploring pantheism further. Pantheism is the "deep theology" of paganism. But perhaps pantheists should also accept aspects of pagan seasonal ceremony and ritual. Paganism and pantheism are soul-sisters. Let everyone take what they like from each, and make their own synthesis. http://www.pantheism.net/paul/pagan.htm

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Featured Member of the Month

wiccanwitch2011 Wiccanwitch2011

http://paganunderworld.com/profile/wiccanwitch2011?xg_source=profiles_frie ndList

Firstly I would like to thank pagan underworld and all who keep this excellent website running there is a lot of work that goes on behind the

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scenes and thank you for choosing me as a featured member it is a great privilege thank you. When I log onto the website which is everyday I normally send birthday messages to my sisters and brothers first I then like to read posts from some of the groups that I have joined this is a wonderful friendly site with all walks of life which makes it a very magical place to be . Although I find it difficult to express myself in words so you may not see lots of posts from me I do however learn from and respect other people’s comments. The groups on here are amazing and the members are very knowledgeable and helpful. As I said when I joined the site I am a practising pagan/wiccan and I wanted to meet people with the same interests as myself and who walk the same path…….i love the way you can get to know other members and there are some very fascinating members lairs out there…. My beliefs; I believe that everything we encounter in life is done for a reason to either guide us on our journey make us stronger or help us just to be ourselves. I believe that when we are born we have already been given a path to walk on this earth we may not always know it therefore needing or seeking guidance to help but it is also upto the individual to accept it. i believe that everything has a soul or spirit. We call this Animism, all Rivers, seas, animals, stones, trees, land. To be a pagan you need to feel as one with nature and live in harmony with mother earth and all who live on her. You need to feel in your heart this is where you want to be. Some Pagans are Witches, some are not. I am however a practising witch and have been now for many years. I worship the moon goddess and the sun god So as I am a Wiccan I carry out many rituals honouring the 4 directions as well as the elements air, fire, Water and earth. Some rituals are more to raise energy and are more intense, others include chanting drumming poetry. My rituals are carried out in harmony with the moon phases. I also enjoy candle magic and hace my own personal space with my alter where i can just be myself. Many things have happened in my life when I was in my 20s i lost both my

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parents and that is when I started to sense spirit I was told by lots of different spiritualists that I would one day work together with spirit, but I put a metal block up as I was not ready to begin that part of my journey but in the past few months I have decided to let spirit in. I am also learning tarot which I find fascinating. Groups I have joined; Psychic gift group; is a wonderful group I have so enjoyed reading posts regarding encounters with spirit how to start with meditation and guided meditation. Another favourite of mine is; candle and herbs this has some great information. The coven of spiritual energy is another group with a wealth of information I could go on and on…. My advice would be to join as many groups as possible that maybe of interest to you as you will be sure to gain some sort of knowledge out of each one, from ‘great oaks from little acorns grow’ I hope I have not bored you too much and that you take away something from reading my life’s journey so far. Please feel free to contact me and if i can i will help you in anyway i can. There are some amazing people on this website and I am very grateful to be a part of it and a personal thank you to Persephone for making it possible xx Blessed be one and all!

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Featured Groups

The Members Artistic Side

Created by WikkedDemon~WOE~

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This is a group where you can showcase your artistic side, where you can show your crafts and such with others that love to dabble in this as well..... you can add what ever your do artistically... be it your poetry, art work, crafts..ect.. Members: 60 Latest Activity: Apr 3 This is an awesome group that show case the members art work. It is filled with amazing artistry with many amazing & talented artist, if your not an artist at least come by and see what they have and comment telling them how much you enjoy what you see or have read. Trust me you wont be disappointed...

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Featured Member Articles

My Own Revenge Spell For the Innocent by Hetty , Rev. D Div. (Founder)

Say in your chosen deity's name. Be sure you are clear of conscience. This cannot be reversed.

A square piece of parchment or cloth Black pen/pencil Rubber band or Ribbon Take a square bit of cloth or parchment and cut it so that it measures three inches on all sides. Write the name of the person who has offended

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you, the one you want to take revenge on. As you are doing this, visualize the face of the person. Holding the image of the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face in your minds eye, once again go over the wrong deed he/she did to you. After you have written the name of the person on the parchment, cross it by drawing a pentacle on it. Encircle the pentacle with a circle. If you wish, add a drop of blood. Now fold the parchment paper thrice and tie it with the rubber band. Once this is accomplished, bring the paper close to your temple and chant this spell thrice: In your real and false name, You have tried to harm and mame, This spell I shall cast upon you, So that my family, friends, and I may be protected from any harm that you do With the words of this spell I shall bind thee So that in the future you will let us be, The ill intent of what you do. Will haunt and harm only you, Every bit of energy you put into harming mine and me, Will not, even slightly let you be, Your insides will burn, you will not sleep or rest, Your loved ones will see your ugliness and cruelty at its best, You will be seen for what you are, As many times as there are stars, You must repent, heal the ones you hurt, Or may your life be lowly as dirt, Disappear from our lives or face justice's wrath, You must forge a true and righteous path. I will now have sealed this charm And my loved ones and I will be protected from your harm. Place the piece of parchment on the ground and stamp it thrice with the sole of your right shoe. If you wish, add a bit of your own tongue (spit). You can be assured that spell has worked and the person learns his/her

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lesson. Burn the parchment or cloth and release to the wind.

The Seven Scrolls of The Black Rose (Children of The Black Rose Scroll #1) by Crimson Ice

What do you think of this it was by Father Nate Leved...

THE SEVEN SCROLLS

CHILDREN OF THE BLACK ROSE, SCROLL #1 The Sons and Daughters of Lucifer

by Father Nate Leved, First Church of Satan FREEDOM FLIGHT

Your hand now holds the wisdom of the ages, the map to the gateway of the Universe. It is small in size but large in wisdom and knowledge. It is intended to be simple, but do not hold it in contempt as all great wisdom is simple. Yes, it is intended to be simple, for the Rock of Stupidity is

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large! Those who listen and try to understand will grow in strength and stature and eventually find their way to their own "Safe Harbor" and ultimate spiritual fulfillment. Those who scoff will continue on as a frog trying to climb up the wall of a slick-sided well, laboring all day trying to gain a few feet only to slide back down each night only to find themselves in the same dreary situation in the morning. However, there is help if the seeker will but listen for the Gnosis and remember their revelations. This then is the book of the Children of the Black Rose, The Family of Lucifer, and when seekers learn the Gnosis, they will belong, be successful and know fulfillment. Their limitations vanish, and the y are free to grow in stature. They will also prosper and live in harmony with one another in a land of plenty. You see, there is more to all this than meets the eye, and the ignorant man is much less than his ancestors who once had the Gnosis because he has forgotten many of the great truths and principles apportioned to the race of men when its days were short. Yes, man has been deceived and cheated by the purveyors of mysticism and deceit. Today, ignorant man lives in the Realm of Choices and confusion, but instead of choosing to seek the Power of the Force for himself, he has instead traveled the hot, dusty road that ends in failure, deceit and submission to mysticism. He has let the profane mystics talk him out of his inheritance. Because of this, ignorant man has been mistakenly battling against something within himself which he doesn't understand, and the harder he fights, the more his situation deteriorates. The reason and answer to this dilemma is that ignorant man, at least in this physical world is incomplete, as the guidance and benefits of the Force is purposely withheld from him until the realization of his adverse condition becomes eminent and the Gnosis is asked for and seriously desired by the person who then separates from the herd in the eyes of the mighty. Yes, when a person realizes that they have been lied to and deceived and has the fortitude to stand up, shake their fist at the sky and demand their inheritance returned, they get it and become one of stature among their peers. Yes, not until a person realizes their untenable situation and reaches out to the Force (Lucifer) will the process of redemption and reawakening begin. This world is an arena of testing and trial where

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masters are separated from slaves. The subjective are culled from the objective and the weak removed from among the strong. This world is no prize. That is why it is said that, "The meek shall inherit the Earth." This planet is the consolation prize for losers who can never raise their sights to coexist in camaraderie and purpose with the magnificence of Lucifer, the Master of the Universe. Yes, part of man lives in the physical world of earth and sky, but the rest of him lives in the Realm of the Astral, beyond the veil which separates him from his self of power and those who have gone on before to reign in majesty with Lucifer as a spiritual warrior or forever grovel in submission to one of power who has the knowing. Whenever a person forgets their spiritual ties with that other realm, they lose contact with the Force which sustains them and they become weak and lost, seeking a master who will guide them. Whenever the Gnosis of the Force is lost or unknown, man is doomed to servility, no matter how hard he tries to convince himself otherwise. The incomplete and ignorant can never rise to full stature and must sit at the feet of one who has become, hoping for the enlightenment that will never come because they have never asked. Your chance to grow in stature is here and now if you so desire it. The purpose of this book is to help rejoin the lost Children of the Black Rose with their Father/Mother, the Force, who is for our purpose know as Lucifer, so they can once again be complete and receive their rightful share of the All and become Gods in their own right. This book is not about loss, fear and shame. This book is about getting well and rising from the depths to the heights. This is the path to The Knowing! This book is a gift to mankind by the many brothers and sisters who have left their legacy behind for the benefit of all who would come after them. Knowing that man must eventually seek the Force whom we know as Lucifer, they have left us the answers to the basis of the combined forces, known but as yet unexplained by the great academic minds. This book is about that Force, the All, man, and those who have been sent to help him find his way by achieving The Knowing. Their directive is to bridge the veil of mists and carry the Keys of spiritual freedom to mankind. Their purpose is to aid and assist all men and women who freely ask to travel the Left

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Hand Path to spiritual fulfillment. However, one who wishes to learn must ask, for one brother or sister shall never be the master of another. As the pages turn, the voices of many past adepts will speak their parts, revealing the right way to look at personal interaction with the forces that be and to form a suitable defense against the opposition who would limit and ensnare the unwary. They will also present the keys of wisdom and knowledge that will unlock the mysteries of the ages and open the doors to the future aeons. But, this is only half the story, and as man is incomplete, so is this little book. You see, the true scope of this book is only to light the way to the bridge; the seeker must then cross it. Your personal gnosis will bring all into focus when the time is right for you to know or have the knowing. The Keys to the Gnosis have never been lost, and for as long as mankind has existed, the Keys have existed. They have been handed down from generation to generation to all who desired them and would ask. The Keys have been translated by the hands of many scribes into all of the world's major languages so the wisdom could be freely given to all who would ask. However, few could ask because The Knowing has been suppressed by those who seek power, wealth, and personal gain at the expense of their fellows. This then is a condensed version of the Keys to the Gnosis written in simple language as a book of concepts. It is meant for the Children of the Black Rose as the time of upheaval nears, because the heart of The Knowing must be in the hands of many before the quickening.

VICTOR OF THE SWORD OF LIGHT

We who carry the Keys forward are considered as Victors of the Sword of Light. We seek the power of the Force and ally ourselves with it, drawing it into our very beings until our stature rises unto greatness. Our task is to learn and do and teach. Our reward is to be a Victor of the Sword of Light and to inherit our portion of the All. Now, why would we need a sword?

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Does that imply that we are warriors? Further, if we are warriors, is there a war? Of course there is. We are involved in that age-old spiritual war with those who would enslave us, and we aim to win that war. The war of which we speak is that ancient and fierce battle between the Children of the Black Rose and the opposition-- those who carry the cross of submission and failure upon their backs and would have us share their load. We are spiritual warriors who fight off the darkness of ignorance and mysticism and refuse to submit to alien concepts which are against our nature. We are conservative in nature and take responsibility for our own actions. We play fair and help others to do the same. We discourage submission and ignorance and try to raise the interest of our fellow men and women to greater heights. When we can fend off imbalance, we do so. We remain secure in the grand knowledge that though an ant can't kill a buffalo, an army of ants can sure eat one. But that is not all. We work in cooperation with the Force and our past adepts so we never walk alone. Neither are we alone when trying to move the Rock of Stupidity out of the road as many hands make the work light. However, to move the rock one must first see it, and that is why we try to gather all of the wisdom and knowledge we can. Then by raising our own mental and spiritual sights, we can better see the stumbling block that threatens our way. Next, when we learn to see our own way clear, we can't help but try to clear the way of our fellows. However, this is often very hard work as many of the family of man won't listen and insist upon tripping anyway. Here is wisdom: although we choose to take responsibility for our own actions, we never take responsibility for others. After all, it's their rock, and they can do with it as they choose. We are aware that we live in the Realm of Choices where confusion and chaos reign. Therefore, we consider well each of them. When there is just one water hole, we seldom stir up its mud. So it is that clear thinking is paramount to clear seeing and clear seeing is tantamount to clear understanding. Therefore, one of the first lessons a warrior learns is to clear his mind of errant thoughts so he can assess what he sees. Later, he learns how to look at what he sees, the better to understand, and later still, he learns to focus what he sees for his own benefit and that of his fellows.

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WAYS TO LOOK AT THINGS

This is a book of concepts. You will make of them what you will. No one will ask you to believe in anything, but we do hope to alter your perception of that which is around you. The past adepts will simply offer you concepts. If you try enough of those concepts, you will find that some will work for you. However, no one expects you to move the earth with a stick, because there are easier ways to do it. We all start out small and grow at our own pace. Some grow faster than others, but all of us are better off than when they started. Why? Because we become more aware, because we have tried. One brother or sister might excel at seeing while another will excel at knowing, another will excel at doing, but none are greater than the person who pauses to help up one who mired in confusion. There is a place for everyone, once they can see their way clearly.

SECOND SIGHT

Up until now, most of us have been taught to see with our eyes. Think for a moment about a blind person who does not see at all. Do they not develop many alternative methods of perception? How about using one's hearing, or other tactile senses? A person is said to possess five senses, but what if there really were a sixth sense? Even if it only worked some of the time, that would be better than nothing and worth developing. Here is more wisdom; when adepts speak of seeing we mean more than just seeing with the eyes. There is more to it than the use of the other senses too, even the sixth sense. We begin by noticing things. When we look at something, we try to really see it and understand it for what it is. For example, when looking out of an open window, we notice more than the trees, grass, and sky. At first we ask ourselves questions about the scene before us such as: where is the sun? What is the time? What is the season?

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What do the leaves have to say? Where is the wind going, and what secrets do the shadows hold? There are many answers in the world around us if we just learn to see them. An adept also learns to sense the world around her, keeping a mental image of even that which is behind her or just out of her peripheral vision. The slightest change in the light or shadow or air or temperature will alert her, and she will know that something has changed. Some are so sensitive that even the tiny movements of a insect will not escape their attention. As time passes, an adept's senses, both normal and acquired, will develop as a rose unfolds from bud to flower. This is why we use the Black Rose as our symbol or logo. The reason being, that even in the darkness, an adept will be aware of what is going on. One who has the knowing, needs not see with their eyes. This is why Lucifer is called the Lord of Darkness. He and his children do not need light to see and have no need of it. We are self fulfilling, the beginning, the end. We rise by our own will and intent from the depths unto the heights. If we want light, we will create our own. Know that there is more to man than meets the eye. Remember the greater self? Does it not know more than you? If you listened for its small, still voice, would it not tell you many secrets? The trick is to allow yourself to open up to that which is around you. Many adepts, especially the ones who live in the big cities head for the country whenever they have a chance. Some even have a special place, high upon what they call their Mountain of Truth where they go to listen and learn. Nature has an expansive effect upon spiritual endeavors.

THE GREATER PERSPECTIVE

The object is to combine all senses and faculties and input from the greater self into one great awareness that functions as a unit. When this new sense is combined with the power of the Force, the results are often spectacular. This is one solid reason why adepts seek the Force and rely upon its power to complete the circuit. Anyway, once this new faculty

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is acquired, it is especially useful in the presence of other people. Seldom is an adept taken by surprise as he senses what the others are going to do before they do it, even if they are a ways away. Perhaps, what we call seeing might be better defined as expanded consciousness, but that is a big term for such a simple book.

THE AWAKENING

When an adept is fully awakened, he experiences what we call The Knowing. He simply knows. The knowledge flashes into his mind like a bird that flies in through an open window. Some say that they hear a bell ring as the knowledge appears. We adepts call this the Bell of Node. Almost everyone has either experienced or knows of someone who has experienced this phenomena, as it is as old as the human race. The trick is to know what to do with it. It is a talent that can be developed by making use of the old three Ps: Prudence, Patience, and Perseverance. Mostly, it just takes practice, and most adepts work at it on the side until it begins to appear often enough to be of value to them. Our intent is to first elevate the self and fulfill the self. Then, that done, an adept then draws others to him/her and commences to open them up and make them aware. Remember, there is strength in numbers, and we realize the value in ranking the numbers in our favor. Share the knowing. Of course, the knowing is often fickle and when one novice can't quite get the whole picture, he might call in other more experienced adepts who will help with the rest of it. You see, there is strength in numbers, and though an ant can't kill a buffalo, an army of them can sure eat one. So the very first thing to remember is to keep an open mind and pay attention to all that is within the scope of your consciousness. Seeing and knowing have simple beginnings, rooted in the dust of the Earth. Take it one day at a time, lay your foundation, and then build upon it. If your first attempts are less than impressive,

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apply patience and try again. Remember, what is difficult today is easy tomorrow. The fact that you can't find your shoes in the morning only means that you didn't pay attention to where you put them the night before. Pay attention!

EXPAND YOUR CIRCLE

Everyone has a Circle of Awareness. For most people it is about three feet in diameter and considered "Private Space" or a privacy circle, and most strangers or unfamiliar persons won't intrude within this limit as it is a natural boundary, common to all human beings. There is a small part of human consciousness that automatically monitors this space, sweeping it like radar or a man hunting spiders with a stick, detecting any intrusion or possible danger. Adepts work at expanding their Circle of Awareness as far as possible, not to keep other people out, but to know and understand what is going on around them in concentric rings or levels of importance. Also, this Circle of Awareness is not fixed in time or space. It can reach forward and backward and sideways throughout time and eternity. Adepts work at being aware of yesterday, today, and tomorrow so that they can better deal with their environment and its changing conditions, particularly those created by other persons. See? Already, your awareness is increasing. Just being apprised of this possibility is the first step, for to know it is to do it. Keep on practicing, and your own Circle of Awareness will fill the All and extend to many yesterdays and tomorrows. "A stone cast into a pond of quiet water sends out many rings. That is the awareness of the stone seeking its new environment."

EXPANDING YESTERDAY

It is said that history has a way of repeating itself. Our records of the past

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will show us much if we just study them, comparing what happened then to what is happening now. We have accurate records reaching back several thousand years, revealing the causes of failure in individuals, tribes, and nations. Reading the old history books will reveal certain parallels that can be used as benchmarks in forecasting the future, and this knowledge, properly applied, will greatly aid and assist our decision making in the hereand- now. The main difference between a sage and his student is wisdom and knowledge; one difference between a wise man and a fool is the application. A fool may know better but take the wrong path anyway. History reveals that civilizations tend to follow a pattern; they rise only to fall, and decadence and corruption are the main culprits in the destruction of the mighty. After once becoming infected, it only takes a generation or two to bring a great and shining empire to its knees, it's lofty ideals shattered like glass, and its citizens scattered on the winds like so many seeds. In as little as forty winters of the first little gray cloud seen upon the horizon of social and political corruption, a mighty empire may well lie in ashes. All successful civilizations start out with the lessons of the last great failure hot and fresh in the minds of the founders. They know what went wrong with the last attempt and try to model their new nations on foundations that won't crumble, proof against decadence and corruption. Therefore, the founders establish a reasonable form of government with a solid constitution, a strong defensive military force, and a sensible educational system to teach their offspring the correct way to live and avoid ruination. This, coupled with a sound set of principles, rigid codes of honor, and justice, swift and sure, riding on the wave of public ridicule and indignation should make possible a lasting success. Wrong! There is one thing missing; the Force that holds the All together. A civilization whose luminaries have not tapped into the Force is doomed to failure. A sighted person who has not the knowing of tomorrow is worse off than a blind person preparing to descend a steep staircase.

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SOLIDARITY

Let it be well understood that CBR adepts never forget the Force that holds all things together. They remain convinced and steadfast (Convinsteadfast), secure in the growing wisdom and knowledge allotted them. This is why the CBR has remained in existence for so long, despite the rise and fall of so many nations. The Force holds them together in spite of calamity and civil decay. The Force flows through each and every brother and sister, in and out and then in again. The Force passing from the left hand of an adept will be restored to her through her right hand. An adept's gift of knowledge will be repaid to him with the interest of wisdom. Never does an adapt stand so tall as when she pauses to help another. There is much to learn, much to teach, and so little time in which to do it. The life of man lasts only a few brief moments, his allotted years passing as sand through an hourglass. He is similar to the flower that blooms, basks in the sun, and then wilts and dies after scattering his seed upon the wind. adepts try to not let the sand pass through their fingers too quickly or let their seed be wasted and lost. The legacy of an adept may be great or small, depending upon his desire to draw near the Force to create and do. The most important lesson a brother or sister can learn is that the Force will meet them more than halfway. Another important lesson is: never doubt that there is enough Force to go around.

WAKING UP

The way of the CBR is to learn, practice, do and then teach. Each adept is by necessity a student, a craftsperson, and an advisor. Each transaction strengthens us and brightens our awareness and store of wisdom and knowledge in its own particular way. The more we give, the more we get, and the greater grows our legacy. Practice makes perfect, and we all have goals in sight. However, it often takes a while to achieve them.

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Therefore, all CBRs are taught the value of the three Ps. They are revered by all as Prudence, Patience, and Perseverance. Prudence helps separate the wise man from the fool as the prudent adept thinks out their actions before doing them. Sometimes, it is best to let the sleeping dog lie; other times, it is prudent to run it off. Patience is the slow but sure crafting of a desired state, setting up the pins squarely in front of the ball, proceeding neither too quickly nor too slowly, allowing the energy to build. Perseverance is the ability to keep on trying even though failure is at first encountered. If one key fails to open the lock, try another key. Often, the value of a given success is measured by the number and diligence of the attempts required to gain it, and each attempt then, is a tread on the stairway to victory. However, as a sister matures, and the Force builds within her, fewer and fewer valiant attempts are necessary. One of the great secrets of success is to read the message written upon your heart and harken to its meaning.

The Seven Scrolls of The Black Rose (Children of The Black Rose Scroll #2) by Crimson Ice CHILDREN OF THE BLACK ROSE, SCROLL #2

THE STAIRWAY TO THE STARS

The steps on the CBR Stairway are: awareness, guidance, learning, application, teaching, transition, and fulfillment. It seems a long stairway at the beginning, but in actuality, most find it much too short. The CBRs way is revered as The Right Way to Live, and you have chosen well. It is said that a long journey begins with the first step, and you have taken it. It is now up to you to complete it. However, help is available for the asking. Remember, there is strength in numbers, and it is those numbers that you

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will most certainly find interesting. Here's how it works: each adept is an individual unto him or herself, but each is a part of a greater whole called the All. The All is the Grand Creation of the Objective Force (Lucifer) and includes all things great and small. CBR Adepts, you see, are simply the custodians of the All. That is why I refer to myself as Head Devil and Custodian. See, you will be dealing with numbers, a lot of them. Take a moment to ponder the implications! When something falls over, it's your job to pick it up. This can become a lot of work, so as time passes, Adepts tend to gather about them several other kindred spirits to help in the project. Most find twelve helpers quite enough, though some require more. Mostly, however, twelve is considered an optimum Extended, CBR Family Group. Of course, one family will become associated with others, and in time, a tribe will form. This is handy as when something really big falls over, there are adequate resources to help pick it up. Here, here! If we keep this up, we'll have a society on our hands. Oh well. Fortunately, the CBR has taken all this into consideration, and there are many lessons devoted to handling that subject. You see, the CBR is at its best when dealing with people. However, before we start dealing with people, we have to begin dealing with you. Order and stability are necessary to success, and all brothers and sisters, including you, must first begin by doing some mental house cleaning. Now that statement is sure going to piss somebody off! However, most adepts, sooner or later begin to try to accomplish fetes of Greater Magic. The day will come, and when it does, you will find that self discipline and self control is of paramount importance. Order and stability are absolutely necessary, or your will have hungry daemons lunching upon your bones! Oh well, being pissed off is better than being pissed on, or worse, being pissed out.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

OK, now that we have calmed down, the first thing to do is start a journal.

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All budding adepts and the experienced ones too, keep a daily record of where they are at and where they are going and what they did when they got there. Not only that, but they also keep notes upon how they could have handled their various situations better. All this helps to fine hone the art of perception and broaden the Circle of Awareness. Here, you will keep all that you learn of magic and the manipulation of forces and powers. What was that daemon's name? Do I mix the acid into the water or the water into the acid? What was that about the color markings of that odd snake? Black touch yellow, kill a fellow? Or was it red touch black, all right, Jack! The journal also answers many questions such as: why did I win or lose in this attempt? Read your journal and you will know. Remember: all endings have a beginning and a middle. It is the order or chain of events that ensue that produce an ending. Endings may be changed. Start your "Black Book" now, or you will surely wish you had.

STUMBLING BLOCKS

It is often said that a person should know his or her limitations. However, we don't have to be carried away with them. Many of our limitations really belong to someone else. Take time to list your limitations in your journal. Just jot them down as you encounter them or they encounter you. Once you have your list of limitations, ask yourself from whence each one came. Chances are that you will have learned most of them from other persons who taught them to you. Once you realize that a limitation is really someone else's limitation, you can cross it off your list, for it doesn't really belong to you. See, your load is getting lighter already. However, the majority of us will probably still have a few limitations left even after returning those that belong to others, so a portion of your CBR adept's training will of necessity deal with ridding yourself of those few left on your list. This is an early step in the process of awareness. When we are free of limitation, we are free of fear. Then when we are free of fear, we can remove our heads from the sand and take a close look at what

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is around us. More than that, we can do more than wait for something to happen to us. Yes, we can take steps to change endings. In fact, we may shuffle things around and create endings much more to our liking. However, before we begin making changes, we must first learn to see their outcomes. Remember, the Rock of Stupidity is large, but we may still trip over it if we can't see it.

THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND

We become aware by seeing; think about seeing. Ask yourself what is a seer. The simple answer is: someone who sees. Rest assured that there is more to it than that. Look out of your window for ten seconds, then try jotting down what you have seen without looking back at the object of your study. Then, after you are sure that you have written down everything you have seen, compare your notes to the actual scene and discover all that you have missed. Most of us will record the obvious, but neglect the fine detail. Many will be unaware that any detail exists at all. Try to discover the depth of your discernment. More than that, consider how the shadows deceive you. Where is the wind going? Why do sun drops dance on water? What did the clouds try to tell you, and why was there anything out there anyway? Often have sages expounded on the difference between looking and seeing. Once there were two Indian boys who were rivals, and each tried to outdo the other. As they grew older, their contests grew more exacting, and the difference between them became harder to discern. One of their favorite pastimes was target practicing, one trying to out-shoot the other with bow and arrow. However, it soon became obvious that their scores were about even. What they needed was a real tie breaker. One morning, they met a medicine man, and one boy asked this old sage's advice on their dilemma. The old man simply said, "Go you hunting, one East and one West; he who brings me meat by day's end shall have a powerful charm, and all will know of his prowess!"

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This seemed like a fine idea to the boys, and they quickly followed the old sage's advice, one traveling East and one traveling West. In his own way, each boy tried his best, traversing meadows and valleys in his quest. While the boys hunted, the old seer waited and peered into the shadows of today to see the bright light of tomorrow. Then, as those shadows lengthened and the moon rose pale in the evening sky, the boys returned to the old man. He stood waiting for them on the little hill where he lived near the stream his father had discovered so many moons ago. Later that evening, the boys came in from different directions, but long before they arrived, the old man could see that one of them proudly carried something over his shoulder- the other, only carried his bow and arrows. It was clear to the old shaman that while both could shoot equally well, one boy could see while the other could only look. Then the wizened old man, true to his word, presented the successful boy with his prize in exchange for the meat. Indeed, he was a great hunter. However, in the end he gave the other boy the greater gift. He taught that boy to really see. So, who turned out to be the great hunter? Who was the next medicine man? Could the hunter see at night? Could the medicine man see in spite of it? Who became really aware? Who could see the color of tomorrow from the shadows of today? What did the old man perceive in the boy who had not yet learned to see? The natural hunter already had his gift. Though he brimmed with ability, the other boy's heart was not in hunting, but the old man saw a spark of magical ability in him. All that was necessary was to slowly develop that spark into a flame and then into a white-hot star of purpose, intent, focus and will. The steps on the great CBR Stairway are: awareness, guidance, learning, application, teaching, transition, and fulfillment. Do you see how each of these seven principles are fulfilled in this simple children's story? Is it really a simple children's story? How well do you see? WITAN The wind brings an answer To the question unasked The shadows play Yet hold great secrets There is wisdom in the flame And reflection in the water A falling leaf carries news An owl cries A life rises from the ashes And there is one who knows The color of tomorrow From the shadows of today.

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DEALING WITH TODAY

Lets think a little about living in the here and now. The past is history and can't be changed. However, one can learn its lessons. Both positive and negative experiences can be great teachers whether the events concerned are our own or those of others. The future has yet to come and is mostly hidden somewhere behind the veil. Therefore, all must live in the here and now. The trick is to focus on what we are doing while we are doing it. This involves being in control of our thinking and our motions. There are those who run free, mindlessly doing whatever seems like a passable idea at the time, never weighing past successes or failures or having any concern about how their actions may affect future events. These people never fare very well, and the product of their lives generally adds up to little or nothing. Mostly, they are a burden on society, and often they are shunned or expelled from the community at large. Other more intelligent people learn by doing and seeing and knowing. They consider their actions before they do them, deciding whether or not they like the probable outcome. These people are usually successful in their endeavors and are well thought of by their family, friends and community. Therefore, our doing should be a product of our careful considerations. Man is capable of thinking and planning. He is even able to forecast the course of future events based upon the outcomes of similar past situations. If in the spring a man cast a handful of seeds into the ground and later harvested a crop, it is safe to assume that he might gain another similar harvest should he repeat his actions the following spring. If a criminal robbed and killed a man and was later caught and hanged for his crime, another person contemplating such an act might well assume that he would suffer the same fate and therefore refrain from such action, thereby avoiding the consequences. A brother or sister not only considers how his or her actions will affect his or her own future but also the futures of others and society in general. They learn to think in concentric rings

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through time and space, observing the action and reaction of their manipulations. An adept is also conscious of the actions of other people and their affects upon the whole. Throwing a gallon of bleach into an acid vat is not a smooth move. Often, a perceptive adept, by some small, apparently insignificant act can often ward off harmful effects from another person's actions. For example, let's suppose that an adapt knows that a criminal is about to perpetrate a crime. That adept could warn the intended victim, convince the criminal to relent, subdue the criminal before he could cause harm, or simply call for assistance. Also, the adept could cause a diversion or an impasse, making an impossible situation for the criminal. Be aware that for an event to occur, it must be preceded by a chain of events leading to its culmination. For a volcano to erupt, pressures must first build up deep within the Earth, exceeding the ability of the cap to safely retain them. For an accident to happen, its chain of events must proceed in an orderly manner as a row of dominoes toppled by a finger. This event is known as the domino effect. A wise adept knows that if one domino or link n such a chain is removed or differently placed, the outcome of the event will be altered. Therefore, it can be assumed that one brother or sister in the proper place at the proper time could change the fate of the world. Should such an adept standing beside a road see an automobile approaching in the distance, then observe a small child playing in that same road they would immediately know that an accident is possible. If the adept removes the child from the road, there is little possibility of the auto running over the child. To extend this chain of events, let's suppose that the saved child grows up to be a great leader who in his turn saves the world from disaster. Therefore, should another brother, sister or ken-youth be in danger, you should make every effort to render aid and assistance.

THE CLEANSING

Getting your head on straight is one of the most difficult lessons to grasp,

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because it first requires a much greater personal awareness or introspection. Later, it requires mastering the fine points of a discipline similar in nature to that of the marshal arts. It also involves greater self control and a regular inventory and maintenance of your own personal mental, spiritual, and physical states, in addition to all that which is currently at your disposal. Most people aren't even aware of the time of day, let alone the real condition of their total self and all available assets. Let's face it, a workman needs to feel well, think well, have needed skills, and possess all of the necessary tools in order to accomplish his chosen job in a satisfactory manner. So it is with each and every adept. A student of the CBR should begin his or her personal effort by refining his/her mental state. This state is easily altered as the manner in which most people think is usually habitual. Fortunately, such thinking habits can be changed in as little as thirty days by the application of a little self control. Of course, the desire for self improvement must be present in the individual, for no one else can light its spark or do the job for them. Pay attention to your thoughts as they filter through your mind. During waking hours, post a little part of yourself, a sentinel, so-to-speak, to stand guard and keep track of what is going on inside your head. Then, ask your little sentinel whether your thoughts are positive or negative or beautiful or ugly. Ask often, for your thoughts will change faster than the speed of light. Most people find their thoughts are a mixture of black, white, and gray. Now, ask your sentinel if your thoughts are balanced. Ask if they are predominantly positive or mostly negative. In other words, honestly try to find out for yourself just what kind of person you are and what kind of shape you are in. You might be surprised. If you are too happy or too sad, ask why. Ask why you are aggressive, diminutive, bubbly, bleak, or just average. When you make your daily journal entry, take a moment to assess how you are feeling and doing on that day. Assign a number from 1 to 10 as a rating. Then over the month, you can make a graph and establish a trend. That way you will have hard evidence of the shape you are in. As you learn more, you will actually have four numbers. The first will be your mental state, the second your spiritual state, the third your physical state, and the

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forth, the state of your assets. These four numbers will reveal your wholeself condition and a history of how you got there. You may also add up all four numbers and divide by four, thus gaining an average of your daily condition and your progress as all four states affect the whole of your being. Are you beginning to see the importance of keeping your journal? The reason most people are confused or depressed is that they don't keep a journal. These people don't know why they have problems, and probably never will know. If an adept suffers the loss of one leg, the very first thing she'll do after she is patched up and has her wits about her again is write down why she lost it. That way, she probably won't have to lose the other one.

THE CLEANUP PROJECT

Do you keep a journal? No? Then you have some catching up to do. This is as good a time as any to begin. Get yourself a loose leaf notebook, some paper and a pen. The task is to try to remember everything you can about your life to date. Just jot down what you can easily remember, leaving plenty of room between entries for those lesser events you will remember later. The idea is to clean up your mental house and in the process, learn more about who and what your are. Don't worry, as no one but you will ever know the results. Just for fun, picture yourself standing in a large attic, cluttered with many boxes stacked one upon the other. These old boxes contain the sum total of your experience. Many of the boxes are open and the contents easily viewed. However, a few are closed and tied up, their contents a mystery. Now, the idea is to bring everything out of the darkness and into the light so that you can see what it is and figure out what to do with it. The idea here is to get rid of all the hurtful memories, so think of this experience as you would cleaning out your attic. Make yourself an inventory of what you can find right off and jot each memory down in your journal. Soon, you will have quite a list and can make some choices of what to keep and what to toss out. The process is

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to view and review all that you find, examine it closely, figure out how it effects your life right now, and jot the results down in your journal. Your job is to transfer memories, both positive and negative from your mind to your journal. This is thought transference is it not? We are removing data both helpful and harmful from your mental file and placing it on paper where it can't squirm around and hide. Now once this is done, we can make some choices as to what to do about all those memories that might be hurtful to you. The good memories are no problem, but the mistakes are another matter. However, this job will not be as easy as it looks. Be aware that within your mental attic there are many stumbling blocks with which you must deal, either now or later. The human mind, especially the subconscious mind is capable of many tricks and ploys to keep the conscious mind from unraveling its mysteries. Events of long ago that have been totally forgotten by an individual's conscious mind are often boxed, indexed, and kept by the subconscious mind as a series of checks and balances (read limitations) to control the actions of that individual. The main thrust of the subconscious mind is defensive in nature as it wishes to avoid pain. Do you now fully understand the importance of clearing your mind? Do you see that there would be little benefit in filling a cluttered and therefore limited mind with further knowledge it couldn't use because of built-in limitations? Good, keep on writing everything you find in your journal! Once you have gone as far as you can, remembering everything possible for the time being, look it over very carefully, and consider its effects upon your here and now. More than that, look for chains and links that might lead down other avenues of your past. Next, take up a clean sheet of paper and write an essay entitled, "Why am I screwed up in the head?" Step two entails waiting a day or two before reading it. Never will you have read such a pack of lies. Should you believe them, you have a problem; no, you have many problems. However, if you can smile at the contents of your essay, there is hope. Apply your gained knowledge and keep on sorting through your memories even if they are harsh until you have transferred all memories that might drag you down or lift you up into your journal. Do not be afraid to open any box no matter how dark and smelly it might be as its contents can hurt you more while covered

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than when out in the clean air and sunlight. Even if the box is sealed up tight, your subconscious can see right through the carton as if it were clear glass. You see, the subconscious mind is very defensive and has a marked tendency to compartmentalize anything it fears, disapproves, or doesn't like. Never underestimate the latent power of your subconscious mind; it can make or break you. So, run down any lead you can find and transfer it to your journal. Well, aren't we going to a lot of trouble here, making a big deal out of looking under the corners of your mental rug... However, wouldn't it be a shame to be kidding yourself or hiding something from yourself. Then when you are right in the middle of perpetrating a high magical act which includes trashing a cheating lover, a member of the opposition jumped up and said, "But you have done the same thing yourself!" Well, then. Instead of commanding the entity to crawl off and die as you should, you go blank, wondering what to do next. You cannot afford such a loss of power at a critical time. No kidding, clean out your head before it's too late and you wind up daemon dung.

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Black Witchcraft and Daemonolatry Created by Blackrose I hate the use of "Black" and "White", "Light and "Dark". I feel we should move past dualities. But I use it here to be set apart from Wicca. I am referring more to the Sabbatic Craft, Crooked Path, and Daemonic Witchcraft. Members: 36 http://www.theshadowoftheblackrose.com/group/blackwitchcraft Many have heard talk about "witch blood". There is a tradition of Witchcraft that works with what many would call demons. It is said to have gotten its start with the Watchers, who came down from the Heavens taking wives from among the daughters of men and teaching them the secret mysteries, that are now known as Witchcraft. Within this group we shall endeavor to unravel the Mysteries of this tradition and those like it.

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To fully understand I Mysteries one must leave behind their preconceived ideas of "good" and "evil", moving beyond dualities and look at the essence of the thing rather than the thing itself. We are dealing with things of the spirit, so a materialistic view point will not do either. Many of the Mysteries can only be learned through the gnosis of experience. Yet, we shall attempt to point the way.

Cauldron Magick Created by Hetty , Rev. D Div. (Founder) Kitchen Witchery and Herbology Stir up some excitement! Kitchen spells and herbolgy are essential in our community! Share with us! Location: Kitchen Members: 29 http://www.theshadowoftheblackrose.com/group/cauldronmagick

A most for every house hold and one that has been around since the beginning of time. The things you will find in this group will not only help your magical formula's but will also improve you health and energies in your house and property. Do come by and check it out and add to your own magical pantries...

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Goetia and Enochian Studies Created by Hetty , Rev. D Div. (Founder) Demons: Malevolent and Benevolent How to speak to them, summon them, learn about them. Share your stories and ideas. Discuss the Enochian texts! Location: in the Spirit World and Earth. Members: 29 http://www.theshadowoftheblackrose.com/group/demonsandgoetia

This group has so much information that one could spend months in here and still not cover everything. This group is not for the faint of heart or the weak it is for those that have a true desire to learn and to delve into an area that most refuse to open them selves up do to being taught that these paths are evil... To them all I have to say is if you live by fear then you will be ruled by it and others that use it to control you!!!

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First Starting on the 2nd You wake up on Monday with a brilliant idea -- something that could make you money, something big. As you go through the motions of your day, it's all you can think about. Would it work? Could you pull it off? Tuesday and Wednesday you are seeking feedback. In the course of talking about one thing, you often end up talking about another; long story short, flirtation is in the stars this week. Thursday and Friday are no time to be coy. Total emotional transparency is a lot better than keeping your cards close. Saturday and Sunday, your boldness is rewarded. It's a great weekend.

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Week Starting On the 9th Monday is a frustrating, emotional day -- your family is getting to you, and you may have the urge to sit down and eat an entire box of donuts. Of course, that's only going to make you feel worse. Whip up a big salad instead. Tuesday and Wednesday are all about sports, heat and adventure, so you may burn off whatever you ate earlier anyway. Thursday finds you sitting in a chair at a desk all day long. Friday and Saturday, details threaten to overwhelm you, but rushing ahead will only create more problems. On Sunday, turn your attention to someone else.

Week starting on the 16th Monday and Tuesday you're number one, top of the charts. It's like your face is splashed across billboards throughout the land. Your reputation makes strangers want to know you. And you're interested in knowing other people -- in particular, faraway people. You want to see the world. Use your connections to work toward your biggest dreams this week. Going somewhere exotic can, paradoxically, have a grounding effect. Saturday or Sunday, someone you know announces that they want to travel with you. This is the best idea that's come along in a while.

Week starting on the 23rd Ambition's great in the workplace, but in the rest of your life you should really live and let live. These are words to live by as the week begins. Give

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relationships room to grow instead of imposing lots of expectations. Then give yourself and (everyone else) a break around Thursday and Friday -the cosmic energy's just off. The best ways to combat this? Random acts of kindness and unflinching optimism. With the weekend comes a sense of adventure and some extra personal greatness -- leave room now for random detours and assorted good luck. Enjoy!

Week starting on the 30th You might not be able to see past the obstacles in your path, but to all outward appearances you have all the answers. Sometimes the mere appearance of having the answers (rather than actually having them) is more important. Tuesday and Wednesday, propelled largely by your agreeable nature, the world will be much more amenable to your desires than you expect. Suddenly you're sailing down the river at an incredible speed. Thursday and Friday you hit a weird patch in the current, and Saturday is stalled by the needs of your family. But Sunday is a stellar day.

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First week 2nd If you're single and you've been out of the love game for a while, Monday brings about something of a change. You're casting your eyes around crowded rooms in a way you haven't in a while. If you're not single, the change manifests itself as a willingness to take risks, lose yourself in long conversations and enjoy yourself. Whatever your situation, you're taking the plunge this week -- and getting positive results. Thursday through Sunday is a whirlwind of dinner parties, bear hugs stirring debates and opportunities to demonstrate your loyalties.

Week starting on the 9th If

you're single and the person you have a crush on is just standing there looking adorable, Monday's the day to walk up to them and make something happen. Sure, it may be awkward, but the stars are aligned in your favor. Tuesday and Wednesday are not about your love life at all, although they might be about someone else's: You'll be arbitrating an argument between two people who have a lot of feelings for each other. Thursday and Friday return you to beds of flower petals, bathtubs full of citrus-scented bubbles and smooching. Saturday, a hot date is in order. Sunday's nice and lazy.

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Week starting on the 16th A philosophical approach can certainly make your life seem more amusing and more like a play than real life. But watch out for pretension and righteousness on Monday and Tuesday. In the middle of the day on Wednesday, something happens that alters your perspective -- it may be as small as a confusing comment from a friend, or something bigger. Thursday and Friday are great days, full of more small revelations -- tons of them -- that would be hard to articulate to anyone else. There's a certain pleasure in that. Your weekend could be described as a series of radical ideas.

Week starting on the 23rd You're rock solid and able to take flights of fancy on Monday. Get the rest of your week all set up, and add in a thing or two that's decidedly different. Speaking of decidedly different, over the next couple days you just never know what's going to happen. Are you going to relax and enjoy what life's sending your way? Starting around Thursday and lasting through the weekend, you're making lasting bonds with others, achieving new (and deeper) understanding and (ideally) taking your time with it all. Why rush when it's this interesting?

Week starting on the 30th You're in the mood for love on Monday, and love is in the mood for you too. It's a day of perfect timing. If, walking out of a store, you happen to think of a good pal, you might run into them ten seconds later on the sidewalk. Tuesday and Wednesday leave you little time for such strolling,

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what with how chaotic they are (a word to the wise: Don't make any decisions concerning money), but Thursday and Friday are dominated by friends, food, security, contentment and (possibly) board games. Saturday is suited toward puttering around the house. On Sunday you may be asked to settle a dispute.

First Week 2nd

You are something of an amateur detective on Monday -- sleuthing around the neighborhood, taking notes, coming up with theories about various anomalous activities. Tuesday and Wednesday, this approach to the world takes on a social dimension and you find yourself interviewing people without their knowing it. As far as they're concerned, you're just hanging out. Thursday and Friday are dominated by several very grumpy personalities -- you won't be able to get so much as a grin out of them -- but Saturday and Sunday give you the chance to disappear and get some errands done.

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Week starting on the 9th You're making lots of lists at the start of the week. You even draw small boxes next to each item, where you fill in a check mark as soon as you get something done. The more fun you make it, the less it will seem like work. Tuesday and Wednesday are great days -- friends, ideas and an intellectual challenge figure strongly -- but Thursday you find yourself stalled conversationally. Communicating with your family isn't easy at this juncture. Revisit your to-do list on Friday, and get as much done as you can before the weekend. You'll want to be able to fully enjoy the sunshine.

Week starting on the 16th You really don't have to wonder what your days have in store for you on Monday and Tuesday, because outcomes are up to you. Your days will consist of whatever you want them to contain. That said, don't foist your will upon other people, or they may foist bad feelings back. Wednesday afternoon is a turning point in your week: Suddenly the simplest thing may become unmanageable complex. Thursday and Friday, no one offers you any information about what they're thinking -- you have to coax it out of them. This weekend, your social gears are oiled and conversation comes effortlessly.

Week starting on the 23rd If you seem to be lacking your usual magic touch with others on Monday, don't freak out -- it's just that there's something that needs addressing. Over the next few days, your energy's excellent for healthy processing,

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learning more and maybe even radical change (for the better, if you make it so!). Then, while the stars hate to say it, appearances count around Thursday and Friday. Spruce up and look like you're ready for the next step. When the weekend comes, you'll be the one to put together something great for the group (and to be hailed as a hero of fun!).

Week starting on the 30th You'll wish you were made of steel on Monday, as a challenge requires superhuman strength. Combine what brawn you do have with a tremendous amount of your brain and you should be set. Tuesday and Wednesday are an extended juggling act -- and you're not even juggling typical stuff, you're juggling fire hydrants and mattresses. What you really need -- and what you're not going to get on Thursday and Friday -- is a break. Instead, you'll be putting out fires, guarding your territory and telling friends to simmer down. What an exhausting week! It isn't until Sunday that you get to be yourself.

First Week 2nd How you became the social director you're not exactly sure, but on Monday everyone seems to be looking to you to find out what's next. You are the ideas person in your group, the inspiration, the energy. You can

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embrace that. You're pleased with life these days. Tuesday and Wednesday, you're practically dancing down the street you're so happy about how things are going. Thursday and Friday, don't be shy about reaching for what you want. History has shown that successful people are assertive. Over the weekend, any purchase you make should be done with the future in mind.

Week starting on 9th Monday finds you on top of a mountain -- you can see far into the distance. Your biggest goals are faraway peaks. Your vision of the future is peaceful, and the path toward it is dotted with inspiring and hilarious obstacles. Tuesday and Wednesday, as you're going about your regular life, try to keep those faraway peaks in mind, especially when you're making decisions. Thursday and Friday, organize your social life so you can be around as many people as possible. Then, on Saturday, focus on cleaning, errands and the like. Sunday requires you to be nimble. Stay on your toes.

Week starting on 16th You're having a hard time allocating resources and deciding on priorities at the start of the week. Monday and Tuesday are halting, taxing days. Do something to get your blood flowing. A brisk walk? Push-ups? Wednesday brings about a turn toward introspection. You decide that maybe you don't want to go to the movies Wednesday night after all. Or on Thursday or Friday. Or, if you do go to the movies, you feel like going alone. (There is a certain comfort in doing that.) This weekend, when you try to reengage socially, someone else will be in the mood to go their own way. Funny timing.

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Week starting on the 23rd It's all about balance and flexibility as the week begins. Start with the physical (yoga or stretching, perhaps?), and where you take your body, your mind will follow. Beware of getting carried away now -- instead, ask another question or look for another perspective. Around Thursday and Friday, things occur naturally and beautifully, especially if you share them with somebody you're in tune with. This weekend, your mind's quick and in the moment, but something (or someone?) from the past demands a little thought, too.

Week starting on the 30th A group of people is the center of your thoughts on Monday. Friends, most likely: People you enjoy spending time around. If you're enjoying a meal together, show up with something festive -- a pineapple, say, or a sheet cake with tons of gaudy frosting flowers. Tuesday and Wednesday are overwhelming with the amount of work that must be done, but Thursday strikes you as a day of inspired new beginnings, and this, in turn, propels you to start even more new projects on Friday and Saturday. Leave all the details for later. Your motto on Sunday is 'the bigger, the better.'

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First Week 2nd If your place of employment has employees of the month, you will be crowned with the title on Monday, honored with a framed picture and much fanfare -- that's the sort of start you can expect for the week. Tuesday and Wednesday, your friends are heaping laurels on you as well. Don't let all this go to your head! Thursday and Friday, the world conspires to make you more modest, or at least to remind you of what really matters. Popularity is not among the things that really matter. This weekend, find some way to apply your talents in the service of the greater good.

Week starting on 9th Your sensitivity yields beautiful things on Monday. An impulsive phone call to an old friend couldn't be better timed. A thoughtful sticky note placed on a coworker's computer means more to that person than you could ever imagine. Tuesday and Wednesday, you begin to realize that the love you heap on the people around you is coming back to you tenfold. Thursday through Saturday, you have little time for phone calls and thoughtful Post-Its, what with the stress of certain financial matters. But on Sunday, friends, romance, communication and fun define your day.

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Week starting on 16th Flipping idly through a magazine at the start of the week, you find yourself burning with the desire to see Belize. Or Costa Rica. Or Russia. The microcosm of civilization that immediately surrounds you is starting to wear on your patience, and the idea of faces you don't recognize sounds thrilling. The desire to travel is connected to the desire to get into shape for you, but there's a difference between the two things, in many ways. One big one: Wednesday through Friday, anyone's happy to hear about travel, but no one really wants to talk fitness. Vanity is to be avoided this week and weekend.

Week starting on the 23rd You're great of course, but sometimes it's best to know it and not necessarily show it -- like at the beginning of this week. Just keep on with your greatness quietly; others will most assuredly catch on, and it'll be even sweeter that way. Take care with money and issues of value around Thursday and Friday. What is it that really matters now? Be skeptical of shiny or otherwise alluring surfaces. When the weekend comes, you make everything fun, whether it's a party or just errands. Have a good time!

Week starting on the 30th Your frustration on Monday isn't so much that you don't like being a cog in a machine -- it's that you don't like the machine you're part of. Find a way to bust out of this familiar territory; infiltrate a new social group. Tuesday or Wednesday, if someone invites you to a party, convey your enthusiasm with a magnificent piece of fruit. Or a hulking sunflower. Or a nice bottle of something. Don't be afraid to go splashy. Thursday and Friday see a return to conservatism in the social realm -- why come on too strong, after all? Saturday fills you with a warm, wonderful glow, and Sunday's utopian.

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First Week 2nd On Monday, the chemistry between you and you-know-who (either a romantic partner or a friend) is undeniable. You get a lot figured out -deep stuff -- in the course of the most casual conversation. Tuesday and Wednesday are more about the surface of things, math and cold logic. Where your emotions come into play is in a social situation where you might not be able to articulate something -- a frustrating experience. But your social interactions Thursday through Sunday are charmed, which is good, since you'll have practically one continuous social engagement.

Week starting on 9th Monday's busy. You're having about seven different conversations at once. You're energized by situations like this -- lots of people, lots of opinions, lots of new faces. Tuesday and Wednesday the madness continues, but it's not a fun sort of craziness anymore: It takes everything you have just to stay organized (which is important to you). But Thursday and Friday are fantastic (and, yes, organized) days. On Saturday, things make sense and you have the time to do all the things you'd like to do. This weekend is the beginning of something meaningful. Sunday's deep.

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Week starting on 16th You feel like a caged animal on Monday and Tuesday -- not caged against your will, but caged by your sense of obligation (most likely to your family). You take your responsibilities more seriously than most people do, which is why you're destined for great success. But this seriousness can make certain afternoons boring. Thankfully, Wednesday afternoon and all of Thursday and Friday are not boring in the least. There's some laughing. There's some romance. (Lots, actually.) There's even serious, ambitious dreaming about the future. This weekend, nothing stands in your way.

Week starting on the 23rd Hey, it may be Monday, but your energy's like a fantastic Friday night. Make your own luck now -- both work and romance are full of possibilities. Through the rest of the workweek, however, relationships of all sorts require a little work and a lot of subtlety. Are you really listening, with your mind wide open? Can you let others be who they are, respecting differences, showing care and using the old sense of humor? It looks like you're on a mission of some sort this weekend. You're cute when you're all fired up!

Week starting on the 30th Everyone else has to take three strides to equal one of yours on Monday. And the length of your legs has nothing to do with it. Your birds-to-stones ratio is just higher than everyone else's right now. It's almost as if you're magic. Tuesday and Wednesday, you are absolutely in control of your destiny. If you are, for example, jubilant, these days will be filled with men in fedoras and shiny shoes dancing around light poles -- and who wouldn't want to see that? Thursday through Saturday, your world is considerably less theatrical, but Sunday is busy in a very pleasant way.

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First Week 2nd You're attached to certain people the way old trees are attached to the ground -- in deep, complicated, beautiful ways. If someone has a problem with one of your friends, they have a problem with you. If someone falls in love with one of your friends, your approval of them will be sought. Of course, you'd support anything a good friend wanted, but it does take some time to get used to a new person on the scene. Toward the end of the week, in the midst of a disruption of some kind, you are the one to point out patterns of harmony in the madness.

Week starting on 9th Your most needed strengths on Monday are your adaptability and your talent for appreciating the smaller things in life. The day doesn't go exactly as you'd hoped, but a few seeds are planted that, in time, are going to grow into incredible opportunities. So hang tight. This entire week is dominated by your friends -- friends who see you as a leader (on Wednesday), friends who see you as a listener (Thursday) and friends who tell sidesplitting stories (Friday and Saturday). Your friends are involved in your day on Sunday, too, and so is someone who makes your heart race. Zing!

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Week starting on 16th You have a bunch of stuff on the stove right now, and everything's looking good. There's a lot going on. Your friends are pitching in to help, your family is excited about the things you're doing and you're getting the support you want. When everything's going so well, it's strange for the tide to change suddenly, but that's what happens midday on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, your sentimental side gets the better of you, and you feel weird for vague reasons. This is, thankfully, an anomaly, a random bump, a nothing. Come Saturday, you're productive and glowing again. Sunday is a treasure.

Week starting on the 23rd Beware of your boss, your mom or anyone who can push your buttons on Monday. A little proactive stress relief (maybe first thing in the a.m.) helps a lot. Why not try to reach a new understanding? Over the next couple of days, it's easy to do this with all sorts of people -- coworkers, family, friends and those in-between or multifaceted relationships, too. You're easy to love, now more than ever. Then, starting around Thursday, be proactive about being a do-gooder. It's immensely more satisfying than only looking out for number one (and good for your karma, too).

Week starting on the 30th Heaviness prevails on Monday. If you're wearing a backpack, take it off for a second. If you must have a donut, how about an unfrosted one? Follow a deep conversation with a funny pop song. Tuesday and Wednesday you have a lot to talk about -- find someone, or a rotating cast of people, to share these days with -- but Thursday you're better off keeping your head

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down and working than you are with trying to explain yourself. Friday and Saturday, as much as you may feel like jumping ship on a project, don't. Someone needs an answer on Sunday, and they'll rely on you for it.

First Week 2nd You are up against something bigger than yourself on Monday. Rather than waste a bunch of energy fighting it, the wise move is to dodge the situation entirely -- a bold way to go. It doesn't immediately give you what you want, but you have your whole life to pursue getting that. A conservative attitude toward almost every endeavor suits you right now (especially on Wednesday). The lower your expectations, the happier you'll be when something unexpectedly beautiful happens on Thursday or Friday. The weekend is challenging, but you're up for it.

Week starting on 9th On Monday, you have a lot of horsepower and a full tank of gas. What can stop you now? Things come to you so easily that you forget what a struggle life can be sometimes. A reminder comes on Tuesday or Wednesday in the form of a fairly major disagreement with an authority figure, most likely your boss. It ruffles your feathers. But the frustration quickly passes. The rest of the week is a joy -- you get to see someone you haven't seen in eons and you have the chance to do something kind for someone. Sunday is restful: Sit outside on a blanket and bask in the day.

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Week starting on 16th There's too much riding on the risk to justify it to your more conservative friends on Monday and Tuesday. But if you really feel like taking it, and you have it in you to deal with the consequences come what may, well, go ahead. Proceed with care. Wednesday through Friday, you're focused on managing several factors related to the risk, and on managing relationships. Your boss figures strongly (and is in a good mood) toward the end of the workweek. It is an exhausting week -- ambition is exhausting and produces tiring anxiety. You have a weekend in the domestic realm that's exhausting, too. Time for a nap!

Week starting on the 23rd You're a person of many moods, and this week's likely to put you through your emotional paces. While Monday's energy is great for work and general planning, the next couple of days could bring issues -- perhaps with family or home life. Beware of saying something you might regret later! Then, hello, roller coaster! Thursday and Friday bring an air of mystery, possibilities and even romance. It's all around you, so breathe it in. When the weekend comes, don't just follow your instinct. You definitely need a method to your madness now.

Week starting on the 30th Doing battle with an opponent isn't the way to go on Monday. You have your pride, sure, but giving in would clear up your time for a bunch of other things. Flexibility, fluidity, not being too attached -- these are useful qualities. Tuesday and Wednesday, you are tempted with a financial risk (don't do it) and Thursday you're considering going somewhere you've

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never been for dinner (absolutely do it). Friday and Saturday, the world yields happily to your desires, especially, paradoxically, if you don't try too hard. On Sunday, play it cool.

First Week 2nd Meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations is your modus operandi on Monday. No need to wear fancy clothes to stick out; simply being a person of your word sets you apart from the crowd. Tuesday and Wednesday you're taking stock of your life and thinking philosophically, but somehow you're alone in this: No one else seems willing to have the kind of deep conversation you're craving. Thursday and Friday, follow your mood, even if it takes you on a long walk toward an unknown destination. Those are the best kinds of walks. This weekend, cheerfulness and abundance figure strongly.

Week starting on 9th Some days the chemistry is just funky. Monday is one of those days. No matter what you do, you don't seem to be clicking with the rest of the world. Take the opportunity to be selfish and follow your own mood. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, try to engage others again. The middle of the week is a happy, lucky time -- you'll make great strides -- but Thursday is, frankly, a bummer. Friday and Saturday feature a strange inversion: The people you love most are the people who drive you craziest. Sunday ails all ills. The love is back. The laughter is loud. Everything goes your way.

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Week starting on 16th You make people so insanely happy on Monday and Tuesday that no matter what you're doing -- be it work-related or school-related or chore-related -- it feels like a party. That's a sign that you're doing something right. The party, metaphorically speaking, breaks up sometime around Wednesday. You spend Thursday and Friday around fewer people, but you remain in a euphoric, curious mood. This weekend, craving conversation and contact, you end up meeting a perfect stranger (or several) and becoming fast friends. You're great at having a good time.

Week starting on the 23rd Speak your mind as the week begins! You've got a way with saying what's on it, whether you're at work or pursuing more personal matters (and more on that this weekend!). Also focus on great things now, such as your open mind, heart and ears. (Speaking your mind shouldn't be a one-way street, after all.) Then, while Thursday and Friday aren't exactly high-energy days for you, they're excellent for thinking things through. And when the weekend comes, fun and games are in the stars, and so is the game of love (if you want to play). Make a move -- why not?

Week starting on the 30th Choose one battle on Monday -- it doesn't need to be contentious, just something you care about -- and explain to others why it's important to you. On Tuesday and Wednesday you think of yourself as the leader of a

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movement in the old-fashioned mold, the strength of which is based on the strength of relationships. On Thursday and Friday, expect to negotiate varying levels of engagement among a group of very different people; on Saturday, asking questions is a brilliant way of drawing interest out of others. On Sunday, something very fortunate is bound to happen.

First Week 2nd If you find yourself linking arms with a couple of friends and skipping across a park together on Monday, well, don't be alarmed. Such occurrences are to be expected when so much playfulness is in the air. Tuesday and Wednesday are less playful -- it is all you can do to keep up a smile, not because you're upset but because you're distracted by a storm of errands and details -- but Thursday and Friday you manage to strike a balance: You're getting things done, but you're also taking the occasional time out to clutch your stomach and laugh uncontrollably. There's not much of that this weekend.

Week starting on 9th You wish you had an atomic transporter device that could place you somewhere else in the world in the blink of an eye. Sadly, no device of the kind currently exists. You're in a dreamy, imaginative mood on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, you're burdened with urgent but not very interesting problems at work. Then, on Thursday, a small discovery lightens your outlook. Friday and Saturday are filled with accomplishment -and you sensibly shrug off the things that aren't currently possible. Sunday

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is full of welcome challenges and the energy you need to meet them.

Week starting on 16th Monday and Tuesday you're occupied with finding containers for your wild, abstract ideas. How can you pour your energy into a project that makes sense to the outside world? Or that furthers your career? Or that means something? The seeming impossibility of it is staggering, but also makes it worth doing. A surprise success in the middle of the day Wednesday is auspicious. Thursday and Friday are an uninterrupted string of successes. By the time the weekend rolls around, you're looking for ways to get more done and nap at the same time. Now if you could pull that off ....

Week starting on the 23rd Monday ought to get the week off to a great start. The stars say you can get a ton done now, having fun while you're at it. But -- look out! -- over the next few days, pitfalls abound and all your best-laid plans may go right by the wayside. Maintain your cool! Your persistence prevails in the end, and at the end of the workweek, you're looking good (and others -- perhaps a certain someone? -- are taking notice!). When the weekend comes, if you're worried about something, don't, under any circumstances, ignore it.

Week starting on the 30th Monday should, above all else, be fun. If there's a lot on your desk that can wait, well, clear off your desk and do a puzzle -- a complicated nature scene, maybe. Tuesday and Wednesday, the challenge in front of you is to fly straight through a cloud of gossip and distraction. Thursday and Friday, arrows are landing in bull's-eyes left and right, thanks to your clarity of

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mind. Saturday is equally successful on the small scale, which in turn leads you to think more about the big scale: long-term goals, you in five years, stuff like that. Sunday is best spent around as few people as possible.

First Week 2nd Even in the midst of major change, certain aspects of your life stay very much the same. This is what you're thinking about on Monday -- the way that your past continues to live with you as you press on into the future. As if you needed evidence that you never can predict where life will take you, Tuesday and Wednesday bring about a startling romantic development: A fun development, albeit most likely a fleeting one, because Thursday and Friday are downright dull, at least outwardly. Put it this way -- if the end of your week were a movie, it wouldn't be a thriller.

Week starting on 9th Monday is like a junk shop of past emotions -- lots of old feelings are suddenly on display again. Literal clutter also figures into your day -- some cleaning is in order. Besides, tidying up the house is therapeutic. On Tuesday and Wednesday, as you finish your cleaning, you might come across something you haven't seen in ages. It might inspire some creativity. Thursday and Friday are entirely uncreative days -- business

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matters demand your attention -- but Saturday gives you the opportunity to say something sweet and necessary to an awesome friend. Sunday is pleasant and culturally eye opening.

Week starting on 16th You have enough room at the table to squeeze a few more people in, absolutely. That's your attitude on Monday and Tuesday. Not everyone has the gumption you do, and your willingness to take others under your wing will be repaid tenfold. As the week continues, it presents more and more challenges. Wednesday is confusing, Thursday is a total mess and Friday is apocalyptically dramatic. Thankfully, you're not invested in the drama, so your response is only a very general tiredness. It isn't until the weekend that you get to have some fun. Lots of it, actually.

Week starting on the 23rd Yes, you'd rather be doing, well ... whatever you'd rather be doing, but take care of business on Monday. And while you're at it, avoid making a fuss. If you want to shake things up a little (or a lot!), the next few days are custom-made for shaking. Others love how you're thinking now, whether at work or on a more personal level. So don't hesitate to share! Around Thursday and Friday, keep that credit card in your wallet. What matters now is something you can't buy. And when the weekend comes, a funny discovery awaits. Interesting!

Week starting on the 30th On Monday you find the key that opens the door that unlocks the mystery that explains the long-standing question -- it's one of those days, as if you're in a children's book or something. Tuesday and Wednesday, the storybook is much more grown-up: The plotline involves a little (or perhaps

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a lot) of smooching. Thursday and Friday are a sort of reality check: You are reminded that the world is not one non-stop fairy tale; responsibilities loom. Saturday, do something active, something good for your body, because Sunday you'll want to sit around the house writing music, or at least listening to it.

First Week 2nd Monday draws on your artistic talents -- talents you all but forgot you had -and it is a welcome surprise to realize that you haven't lost your touch. You are driven by something deep within you at the start of the week; the problem is you're not sure what it is. Tuesday and Wednesday, whatever clarity you had about where you were going or what you were doing vanishes. Try to relish this. Thursday and Friday are suited for experimentation, dreaming, sitting down with instruments you don't know how to play, making others laugh. On Saturday and Sunday, get some exercise.

Week starting on 9th Monday is the kind of day you live for: Love is in the air, a poem is in your head and entertainment options abound. A movie? A concert? A cookie-baking party? Tuesday and Wednesday are still dreamier, but you have to shake your head a couple of times and steel your focus. You have

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important tasks to take care of. The second half of the week is defined by various relationships -- and, as always, you're best off not being too critical of anyone until you've walked a mile in their shoes .... On Saturday, strive to be nice. Then, on Sunday, collect on an old debt.

Week starting on 16th Disagreements are surprisingly useful on Monday and Tuesday. Someone else's perspective doesn't contradict your perspective; it simply gives yours dimension. That's how you should think about it. Competition is good, and it's not personal. Wednesday through Friday provide plenty of chances for you to prove that you're not out to get anyone, and that you're a sympathetic person willing to give what others need. These are good things to demonstrate -- especially during a week when convictions are strong and feelings run deep. This weekend, all you feel like doing is helping people.

Week starting on the 23rd Everyone needs some direction now and then, and you'll feel much better if you seek some out as the week begins. Consult a close (and emotionally intelligent!) friend about your love path; have a conversation with your mentor or boss about your long-term career goals. You'll want to be ready to take action around Thursday and Friday, when your energy's awesome and you're extra attractive. This could be life-changing stuff! This weekend, though, something isn't as it seems. Be smart and look closely.

Week starting on the 30th Beauty presents itself to you again and again on Monday, but so do a number of illusions. Before you go gaga over someone or something,

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make sure that they (or it) actually possess(es) the qualities that appeal to you. Tuesday and Wednesday, as the efficacy of certain illusions dawns on you and begins to dissolve, you have this frustrating situation to deal with: Everything you thought you knew for sure is called into question. Thursday and Friday, interestingly enough, find you in a theatrical mood, conveying illusions yourself. Saturday is romantic, but Sunday is private.

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A favorable month for young and less young lovers; quite happy sentimental climate, full of gaiety and liveliness. On the contrary, tensions and disputes will be current in family. A certain sensitivity of the throat could come about. At work, it would be useless to try to force destiny too much; let the situation mature. This time, you'll really appreciate the sure and faithful friendships that you've made; the more you will distinguish true from the false, the more real satisfactions you'll obtain.

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A relaxing atmosphere will reign in your home. Closely watch over your children's health; make sure they are be up-to-date with their vaccinations. A project that you really have your heart set on will require a lot of efforts, but success is guaranteed. You'll live your love affairs as on a roller coaster, but this won't be without charm. Be careful of certain friends. During this month nothing is more prejudicial to you than pessimism; but if you're definitely optimistic and realistic, you can gain some nice successes on all fronts.

Lucky month: your failures and sufferings will be transformed into joys and peace. A favorable climate for plans of amorous unions, for a durable engagement and, concerning lonely hearts, for a determining encounter.

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You'll by no means be willing to tighten your belt; fortunately, you'll have a completely unexpected money entry. Taking your health at heart, you'll undoubtedly be interested in organic products; and you'll be right, because organic products are undoubtedly of better quality than standard ones.

A favorable month for opening yourself to new horizons. If you find yourself in a financial fix, make out your accounts and draw up a tight budget. Momentary disagreement with your partner; happiness will soon be back. Don't be too demanding towards other people; be aware that nobody's perfect, not even you! Your family circle will be uneasy; try to be diplomatic and authoritarian at the same time; bring the others back to common sense: it'll be up to you to calm down the minds.

If you take the necessary steps, you can start over again on new and solid bases. Financial matters will require all your attention; get back what people owe you.

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In love, well-being and understanding will be present. Stop rehashing your problems; learn how to benefit fully from the present moment. There'll be excitement at home: moving, or extended visit of distant family members who'll camp in the living-room; you'll have to adapt yourself to this temporarily chaotic life pace, which however will prove very entertaining.

Play at some game of fortune by choosing numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9. Avoid taking important steps, going on a long trip, or starting a big project. Give your heart a new chance, don't let yourself be discouraged by your recent disappointments; an encounter will take place. If you don't have time or the desire to practice a sport, you'll imperatively have to do some exercise every day; do some jogging or hiking, which activate blood circulation, breathing, and reinforce your abdominal muscles.

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A favorable climate matters of the heart; your emotional relations will evolve in a good direction. Positive changes will take place in your life: you'll make new encounters or will start more enriching activities. Financial situation in expansion: you can count on a helping hand from luck. Increased inflammatory tendency. You can launch a large-scale financial transaction by investing important capitals; this astral climate will assist your efforts.

Organize your budget better and resist your ruinous desires of purchases. You'll overflow with drive, energy, and enthusiasm, which will enable you to achieve repeated feats. You'll like to charm and flit about; but if you trespass certain limits, you'll have to experience a very bad surprise. It seems that great meticulousness in performance can give your work a new and positive orientation; your ideas will be good: this time don't hesitate to show audacity.

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Your love life will suddenly bloom. Ideal month to get engaged or married. For once, you can manage to conciliate work and family life. No serious health problem to be coped with; you'll have a good appetite, but don't abuse sweet things. Avoid dealing with any kind of litigious matter; play for time. Events will be favorable to you on the professional plane; nevertheless, intensify your efforts if you want to achieve your goals.

A gust of jealousy will agitate your love relationships; try to control the situation. In the family, you'll be surrounded with warm affection; perfect agreement with your children.

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At work, nothing serious should come to impede your efforts. You won't be safe from errors of judgment; if so, ask for advice. Luck will be on your side in a joint venture or a financial deal; this time, you can take risks.

Pecuniary difficulties are to be foreseen; it would be better to postpone certain purchases that are not urgent. You'll have great chances to make a very significant sentimental encounter. If your present union proves impossible to live, don't hesitate to provoke a break-up. Even in the most somber moments, try to see the brighter side of things. A little more nervous than usual, you'll have difficulty in conciliating your private and professional life; all the same, surrounded by your close relatives and friends, you'll spend some very good moments.

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You'll have a very good chance to satisfy your heart's deepest aspirations. Grant your children some degree of autonomy; if you feel overwhelmed, ask for help or advice. Your reflexes will be slower and less precise: be careful in your gestures. You'll skillfully carry out a financial transaction. Put your business in order; wouldn't this be the moment to sort out your projects and plans, and to launch immediately what can be achieved in a short term?

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Strength Divine: You will start off the month strong and full of energy, ready to take on the world and whatever noble causes may strike your fancy.

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Wheel of Fortune Divine: You feel a sense of purpose, as things continue to go your way, your goals to proceed as plans full stream ahead, as a feeling of happiness and bliss carry you...

Temperance Inverted: Unfortunately, someone has other plans, be on the lookout for one who might interfere, making things take a turn in a different direction

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5 of Cups

Inverted: As the month progresses, others intentions make themselves clear, as a stretch of time nears an end, things go on as if nothing has changed, focus returns to things that once seemed important in an attempt to cope

4 of Pentacles Inverted: The month drags on, seeming that time has suddenly slowed down as you wait for an outcome and an end to the conflict.

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The Fool Divine: Instead, you find chaos, and try to escape it by any means necessary, must likely indulging yourself in comforts of a materialistic nature

Ace of Cups Divine: As the month comes to an end, you find yourself happy once again, as you feel yourself filled with love, and peace. Knowing things are as they should be

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Other Great Sites

http://wetstags.ning.com

http://bacaworld.org/

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Hollywood Undead and 10 Years Thu. May 12, 2011 5:30 PM Fillmore Auditorium-CO Denver, CO Tue. May 17, 2011 8:00 PM House of Blues-SC North Myrtle Beach, SC

Wed. May 18, 2011 7:00 PM The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA

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Fri. May 20, 2011 7:00 PM Bogart's Cincinnati, OH

Sat. May 21, 2011 6:00 PM St. Andrews Hall Detroit, MI

Adler's Appetite

Fri. May 13, 2011 8:00 PM Knitting Factory Conce.. Boise, ID

Thu. May 19, 2011 9:00 PM Vogue Theatre - IN Indianapolis, IN

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Pointfest

Sun. May 15, 2011 10:00 AM Verizon Wireless Amphi.. Maryland Heights, MO

2011 Rocklahoma Festival - 3 Day Pass

The 2011 daily performance lineup has been announced for ROCKLAHOMA, the three-day camp and rock festival that will feature a mix of the best classic bands and today’s top active rock artists. America’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend party kicks off summer May 27-29 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK. The daily performance lineup for ROCKLAHOMA is as follows:

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Friday, May 27 Whitesnake, Hinder, Skillet, Sick Puppies, All That Remains, My Darkest Days, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Texas Hippie Coalition, New Medicine, Bad Things, Wildstreet, Loveblast, D’Molls, Alias, Blue Tiger, Firststryke, Chuck Cooley and the Demon Hammers, Signum A.D., Silverstone, Return to Custody Saturday, May 28 Staind, Sebastian Bach, Drowning Pool, Rev Theory, Cavo, Pop Evil, The Gracious Few, Hail the Villain, Taddy Porter, Electric Touch, Gypsy Pistoleros, Cutlass, Mock Star, Aura Surreal, Aska, Strikeforce, Siva Addiction, A Good Fight, Bait, Rocker Lips, Sweatin Bullets Sunday, May 29 Mötley Crüe, Poison, Papa Roach, Seether, Black Label Society, Saving Abel, Escape The Fate, Crooked X, Art Of Dying, One Less Reason, Bad Things, The Glitter Boys, Black Tora, New Cool World, Pretty Little Suicide, Diemonds, Brandon Clark Band, David Castro Band, Desi and Cody

Fri. May 27, 2011 TBA Pryor Creek Music Fest.. Pryor, OK

Back In Black

Sat. May 14, 2011 9:30 PM Wild Bills - GA Duluth, GA

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2011 Bamboozle Festival - Sunday Pass

Sun. May 1, 2011 12:00 PM New Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, NJ BUY TICKETS

The Ap Tour

Fri. May 6, 2011 7:00 PM House of Blues-Clevela.. Cleveland, OH

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Breathe Carolina Fri. May 6, 2011 7:30 PM Sokol Underground Omaha, NE

Dillinger Escape Plan

Sun. May 15, 2011 7:30 PM Music Hall of Williams.. Brooklyn, NY BUY TICKETS

Deftones with Dillinger Escape Plan

Thu. May 26, 2011 7:00 PM Time Warner Cable Upto.. Charlotte, NC BUY TICKETS

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Deftones

Fri. May 27, 2011 7:30 PM Expo Five Louisville, KY

Rockfest featuring Disturbed

Fri. May 13, 2011 3:00 PM Westfair Amphitheater Council Bluffs, IA Sat. May 14, 2011 12:00 PM Liberty Memorial Kansas City, MO BUY TICKETS

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Disturbed

Sat. May 21, 2011 8:00 PM The Rave-Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI BUY TICKETS

Iron Maiden

Sun. May 29, 2011 6:30 PM Konig Pilsener Arena Oberhausen, NW

M3 Rock Festival - 2 Day Pass

Fri. May 13, 2011 11:59 AM Merriweather Post Pavi.. Columbia, MD

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BUY TICKETS

Fri. May 13, 2011 12:00 PM Merriweather Post Pavi.. Columbia, MD BUY TICKETS Sat. May 14, 2011 12:00 PM Merriweather Post Pavi.. Columbia, MD

X103 MayDay 2011 Sat. May 28, 2011 2:30 PM Verizon Wireless Music.. Noblesville, IN

Buzzfest 2011 Sun. May 1, 2011 12:00 PM Cynthia Woods Mitchell.. Woodlands, TX BUY TICKETS

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Welcome to Rockville - Godsmack, Stone Sour and Seether

Sun. May 8, 2011 11:00 AM Jacksonville Metro Park Jacksonville, FL BUY TICKETS

93XFest - Godsmack, Hollywood Undead and Puddle of Mudd Sat. May 28, 2011 1:00 PM Midway Stadium Saint Paul, MN

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Lazerfest 2011 - Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour

Sun. May 15, 2011 TBA National Balloon Class.. Indianola, IA

Sepultura

Tue. May 3, 2011 7:00 PM Trees Dallas, TX BUY TICKETS

Mon. May 9, 2011 7:00 PM House of Blues - San D.. San Diego, CA

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Steel Panther

Mon. May 2, 2011 8:00 PM House Of Blues Sunset .. West Hollywood, CA BUY TICKETS

Fri. May 6, 2011 11:30 PM House of Blues-NV Las Vegas, NV BUY TICKETS

Mon. May 9, 2011 8:00 PM House Of Blues Sunset .. West Hollywood, CA BUY TICKETS

Fri. May 13, 2011 11:30 PM House of Blues-NV Las Vegas, NV BUY TICKETS

Mon. May 16, 2011 8:00 PM House Of Blues Sunset .. West Hollywood, CA

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BUY TICKETS Mon. May 23, 2011 8:00 PM House Of Blues Sunset .. West Hollywood, CA BUY TICKETS Fri. May 27, 2011 TBA House of Blues-NV Las Vegas, NV BUY TICKETS

Mon. May 30, 2011 8:00 PM House Of Blues Sunset .. West Hollywood, CA

System of a Down

Tue. May 10, 2011 7:30 PM Rexall Place Edmonton, AB BUY TICKETS

Fri. May 13, 2011 8:00 PM Key Arena Seattle, WA

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BUY TICKETS Sun. May 15, 2011 7:30 PM Shoreline Amphitheatre.. Mountain View, CA BUY TICKETS

Wed. May 18, 2011 7:30 PM Comfort Dental Amphith.. Englewood, CO BUY TICKETS Thu. May 19, 2011 7:30 PM The Pavilion - Albuque.. Albuquerque, NM BUY TICKETS Sat. May 21, 2011 8:00 PM Cricket Wireless Amphi.. Chula Vista, CA BUY TICKETS Sun. May 22, 2011 8:00 PM Pearl Concert Theater .. Las Vegas, NV BUY TICKETS

Tue. May 24, 2011 7:30 PM L.A. Forum Inglewood, CA

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BUY TICKETS Wed. May 25, 2011 8:00 PM Verizon Wireless Amphi.. Irvine, CA BUY TICKETS Thu. May 12, 2011 7:30 PM Rogers Arena Vancouver,

A friend of mine, known as Teo, he does tat designs, and has some really sick art! If interested in some of his work hit me up~ contact info~ keepersmagazine@live.com

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Lady Pandora's Music Box Adele 21- Omg what can i say i fell in love with this cd and i happened by accident i was downloading her song rolling in the deep and like i always i said let me see what else she has and OMFG.. this girl can sing her booty off. I had to have the cd now its on repeat play on my iTunes. Her voice is so soulful so if you know my i had to have everything she ever did so went and downloaded her other cd HOME TOWN GLORY. Another winner. if you haven't heard her sing you have to she is worth it. I haven't enjoyed an artist in a long time and i can tell you i am a big fan of Adele. Here are some links to some of her songs check em out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw Rolling in the deep. Adele - Someone Like You (Live in Her Home)

Adele - Someone Like You (Live in Her Home)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAc83CF8Ejk&feature=relmfu

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The keeper of the realms feature up and coming band Pyrael- An up and coming local band in my area, and i think they have a great sound worth checking out I happen to be friends with the band leader and he is very passionate about his music. He also told me that every $1 from each cd sale goes to child abuse prevention. A cause close to his heart and i am sure ours to. He has a fan page on facebook that you all should check out he has alot of his stuff on there i spent hours there listening to his music. Here is the link to his page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pyrael/187687091263680?sk=info

Band bio-Gothic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Steve Schwarz Guitar, bass, synthesizer programming, vocals Stephen Baldassarre Analogue synthesizer and Drums/Percussion Oneonta NY PYRAEL is Gothic / Hard Rock / Metal. Some of PYRAEL's "direction" is Danzig, Five Finger Death Funch, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, James Gang and a little bit o' Mussorgsky. From the liner notes of the upcoming CD... "This album is solemnly dedicated to all survivors of child abuse. This album is for you. I hope in some way, by the story told within tracks, that I have shown you that you are not alone and not forgotten. There is always a way out, and you are NEVER truly ignored. Never give up on yourself because in the end, you are the most important person in your life. My best wishes to all of you that you will keep the strength within that you need to tolerate... To check em out fan them on facebook and you can hear some of there song on there page. As for me i cant wait to the have a gig near me i am so there with bells on. Well hope you enjoyed the first post of my music box tune in next month i will keep bringing you the latest reviews on everything that rocks our world..so until then stay breezy and keep it rocking smooches always. Muahahaha this is Lady Pandora and hope you love the dark tunes from my evil box keep it tight and i wont bite see you in the dark with more tunes from my evil box....

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Welcome my kinky friends! And another packed month of fetish fun to keep yourselves more than amused ;) May 6 - 11 Submissive Journey Weekend Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA www.submissivejourneyweekend.com

Please contact Kendall at swj.information@gmail.com for more information and tickets. Only 5 places left!

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May 6 - 8 Fetish in the Forest Memphis, Tennessee, USA www.impacthome.com/forest.htm

May 6 - 8 Kinko De Mayo Cleveland, Ohio, USA www.ohiosmart.org

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May 13 - 15 NDD's BootCamp III Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA www.nddsbootcamp.com

May 18 - 22 DomCon LA Los Angeles, California, USA www.domconla.com

May 20 - 21 Mischief in May Des Moines, Iowa, USA www.mischiefinmay.com

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This one looks Awesome! Check it out!

May 20 - 22 Northwest Leather Celebration San Jose, California, USA www.northwestleathercelebration.com

May 20 - 22 Queer PlayCon Hartford, conneticutt, USA www.queerplaycon.com

May 27 - 29 Fetish Factory Anniversary Weekend Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA www.fetishfactory.com/anniversary/

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May 26 - 30 International Mr Leather Chicago, Illinois, USA www.imrl.com

May 27 - 30 Shibaricon Chicago, Illinois, USA www.shibaricon.com

May 28 - June 5 Camp Crucible Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA www.the-crucible.com

On a personal note if anyone goes to any of these events please oh please let me know and maybe send me a pic or a little write up on it so I can let others know whats hot and whats not! Happy Playing my beloved friends TQ

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Rope Bondage Tutorials Wrist and Ankle Restraints

Wrist and Ankle Restraints This is a wrist or ankle restraint based on a climberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prusik knot. It is safe, because it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tighten up when your partner struggles. And it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lot of bulk where the ropes come in, like some restraint ties do.

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Step 1 To make the restraint, you will need a 12-foot length of 5/16-inch rope. Start by putting the two ends of the rope together, so you have a six-foot length of doubled rope with a loop at the end.

Step 2 Slip the loop over back over the ropes, forming a doubled loop. This is called a larkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head.

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Step 3 Slip the larkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head over your partner's hand or foot, so it is around their wrist or ankle.

Step 4 Pull on the loop, in order to get some slack, and wrap the loop and the extra slack around the wrist. The ropes from the loop should be on the outside, and the long ends on the inside.

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Step 5 Reach through the loop and pull the long ends of the rope through.

Step 6 Pull on the loop again, to get some more slack, and wrap the loop around again. You may have to help the ropes move around the wrist or ankle.

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Step 7 Reach through the loop again, and pull the long ends through.

Step 8 Pull on the long ends, helping the ropes move around the wrist or ankle, until the wraps are comfortably snug, but not tight. You should be able to get a finger between the loops and the skin.

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Step 9 Take one of the long ends and pass it under three of the wraps, starting at the outside and pulling it out the middle.

Step 10 Pull the end taut.

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Step 11 Take the other long end and pass it under three of the wraps, starting at the outside and pulling it out the middle.

Step 12 Pull the end taut.

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Step 13 Repeat the procedure, taking one of the long ends and passing it under three of the wraps, starting at the outside and pulling it out the middle.

Step 14 Pull the end taut.

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Step 15 Take the other long end and pass it under three of the wraps, starting at the outside and pulling it out the middle.

Step 16 Pull the end taut.

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Step 17 The final result looks like this.

When your partner struggles, the loops around the wraps tighten, locking them in place so they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tighten around the wrist or ankle. Be careful not to make the wraps too tight to begin with. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to; they are secure even if they are only fairly snug, and if you make them too tight, you will cut off circulation, forcing you to untie your partner long before you want to.

http://www.easternrope.com/fashions2/index.php?cat=2

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~That's All Folks~ If you have a site you would like featured in our next issue or would like to contribute an article contact keepersmagazine@live.com ~Thanks For Reading~

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