May 2012 "Faith in Festival"

ISSN 2159-9939

Getting Together Forest Spirit Guide Beltane Blessings Sand Casting Food of Gods The Call by Ankolie Find the Edge Book Reviews

“Faith In Festival ”

May 2012 Volume 3 •• Volume Issue35 ™• May 2012

use a fOOd thermOmeter tO maKe sure yOu COOK raw meat and pOultry tO a baCteria-Killing temperature.

Keep yOur family safer frOm fOOd pOisOning Check your steps at foodsafety.gov

dO yOu want that safe Or mediumsafe?

COOK

ºF

ºF

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™• May 2012 • Volume 3

Publisher and editor Eberhardt, Personal Visions

Contributors jess*ca mae Tootie Marie Faelin Wolf Ankolie Amina Racozy S. J. Drew Stephanie Rose Bird Sister Nariel Zedral Z

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nina Pak, http://www.ninapak.com Layout Refraction Design & Creative Services Website

Personal Visions Consulting/Photography

Advertising Eberhardt Our goal at Pagan Edge is to provide readers a high quality, timely magazine with content relevant to modern pagans’ lifestyle and passions.

Our publication is a lifestyle magazine so while we may publish spells, rituals, and some magick how-to; we aim to focus on ways that pagans, wiccans, earth-based-spiritualists, and those of like mind can incorporate their values and beliefs into their everyday living.

Pagan Edge Magazine & paganedge.com exist solely to offer information to our readers. The publisher, editor, and the entire personnel of Pagan Edge, Pagan Edge Magazine, Personal Visions, Refraction Design and paganedge.com cannot be held responsible for misuse of any information provided. The views expressed in the articles and ads are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Pagan Edge Magazine.

Product descriptions, recipes & any how-to information: While we, and our affiliates, attempt to provide accurate information in the magazine and on the site, we do not warrant that the content on this site will be accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. It is your sole responsibility for the use of the content of this Magazine or web site. For additional details please see http://www.paganedge.com

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May 2012 • Volume 3 3

N ow o N l i N e !

S.J. Drew’s Newest Title

Available through: Smashwords, Sony, Barnes & Noble, Kobe, Apple, and Diesel

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™• May 2012 • Volume 3

contents

On the Cover: A Ritual on a Clear Day

by Kam’s World’s,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ kams_world/

Inside: World Map 1689 — No. 1 Caveman Chuck Coker Gran Bwa http://www.thestudio203. com

6 Dream Weaving The Fesitival Banner 8 Divine Mind Getting Together 9 Finding the Edge Festival Living 10 Life’s Wit Beltane Blessings 11 Craft Corner Sand Casting 13 Food of Gods Hearth Away from

Home

14 The Call by Ankolie 17 Festivals of Note 2012

18 Behind Life’s Curtain Forest Spirit Guide

19 Sounds of the Edge Magickal Nights

20 PE Book Review Kitty and the Midnight Hour

21 Puzzling Crossword 24 PE Book Review Terrarium Craft Volume 3 • Issue 5 • may 2012 “Faith In Festival” Pagan Edge™ is published monthly

by Personal Visions admin@paganedge.com

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May 2012 • Volume 3 5

Dream Weaving Welcome to the Gateway of summer! The month of May, for me, means the start of festival season.

Of course there are great events in the Pagan/ Heathen community year around but the Festivals of Summer bring us closest to the gatherings that have been happening for as long as we have been a species. Who can’t help but be a little bit tempted by the sound and sight of colorful flags, banners, and ribbons lofting in the warm breezes or the sounds of merry music and fast drums that quicken the beat of the heart?

Then of course comes all of the friends both old and yet to be made, dressed up in their finest, be it their birthday suit, period garment, or something purely of individual imagination.

Festivals allow us to be part of communities that

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™• May 2012 • Volume 3

publisher speaks

we may not have any other time of the year. They are chances to exchange our ideas, our Goddesses and Gods, rituals, and plain old fun. Let us not forget that festivals are still one of the best places to make new connections, perhaps even romance, outside of the context of our larger less tolerant Western culture. We humans are meant to walk, run, or dance as the way to better health, greater personal peace, and sheer joy.

Let us not forget that we create sacred spaces and acts when we gather for festival. Sometimes these places and rituals of worship are directed with the intent of theme or sacred day but I have found some of my most treasured and empowering sacred experiences to happen with smaller groups in “side” sessions or just as part of living together for a short period. One of the most valuable lessons we can take with us from any festival is the food for the soul that helps us live at least part of each day fully connected to the Divine.

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Just Mention The May 2012 Issue admin@paganedge.com Offer ends June 01, 2012

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May 2012 • Volume 3 7

Making the Divine Mind, Mine

by Sister Nariel, Fiach Dair Contemplative Order of Anam Cara

Getting Together Without Coming Apart Here within the embrace of the Contemplative Order of Anam Cara, gatherings are small, intimate family gatherings. Most, if not all, share similar spiritual roots and so gathering is easy and generally without rancor or issue. The same cannot always be said of large gatherings, wherein many strangers with different customs and ways are present. Navigating the larger, more diverse group can take a bit of planning.

The Delphic maxim “Know Thyself” is a good way to begin that planning. Know yourself and your family’s needs. Some people are at their best in group settings and fall easily into conversation on various topics. Discussing Crowley or Cunningham might work well for you, but

for dear Aunt Minnie, who might be of the Pentecostal persuasion; this might be a tad uncomfortable. An afternoon gathering at a coffeehouse might work perfectly for you, but the family dog being left in one hundred degree temperatures, is not so happy.

Definitely pay close attention too, if the event is childfriendly. There are few things worse than arriving with your child and having the entire group stare at you as if you had grown a horn. Some gatherings and workings are simply not meant for children. It’s wise to provide for babysitting if planning an event, wiser still to be ready with your own babysitter. Know thyself... and know thy family, too.

Plan for diverse personalities and needs before accepting invitations to gatherings.

Pick your battles carefully when in a group setting.

Well, you should always pick your battles carefully but particularly in a group setting.

The ability for group shadow to emerge is great and you may find yourself the unlikely leader of a rebellion! Or worse, you may find yourself as an island to yourself, amidst those who think differently and are able to rouse a small cohort at a minute’s notice.

Sometimes it just doesn’t matter if you walked the circle 3, 4 or 5 times. Sometimes, it’s just not worth it to argue over an obscure passage of the Malleus Maleficarum and how it affected 19th century British Literature. There is still a lot of validity in the old adage “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Really.

The Pagan way of life will

Continued on Page 26 8

™• May 2012 • Volume 3

Finding The Edge Festival Living d.light S10 Solar LED Lantern http://www.amazon.com $15.95

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Big Agnes Lynx Pass 1 Tent

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May 2012 • Volume 3 9

Life’s Wit

n e a t l B s e l g essin B

by S.J. Drew

“I’m really nervous Megan,” said Rose.

“There’s no reason to be,” the elderly High Priestess replied to the young woman.

“You’ve been in plenty of Beltane rituals before.

Why be nervous now?”

“I’ve never been the May Queen. What if I forget my lines? And Brian has never been the God of the Forest.

We didn’t even find an antler headdress for him.”

Megan squeezed Rose’s shoulders in a comforting

fashion. “It’ll be fine. The gods aren’t that picky about these things. You two want to start a family, right? This is a good way to do it. Now, don’t worry.”

“I’ll try not to.”

When the day’s activities were winding to a close, assigned volunteers tended to the woodpile that would become the bonfire. Darkness set in and the festival-goers took their places. Rose and Brian, as the designated May Queen and God of the Forest, took their places as well on opposite sides of the

woodpile.

The High Priestess and High Priest greeted the attendees and started the ritual. The bonfire was lit. Rose and Brian waited nervously outside the circle until they were introduced. Once they were introduced, they stepped inside.

“Let the the hunt begin!” called the High Priest.

Rose started to run around the circle and Brian chased after her. Once the chase began, neither felt nervous.

Rose called to Brian in a

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Craft Sand Corne Casting Corner otherwise useful or needs a bit of decoration and make this the offical home for all sand casts. This is a great way to keep a bit of positive energy at the festival site (make sure its ok with the festival organizers)

s the festival season starts in North America A it is not to difficult to find family friendly events. Many festivals have special programs,

day care, or come and go crafting areas set up for children of all ages. However, as any parent should know having a activity or two as back up is always a good idea.

Sand casting can be done almost anywhere and requires minimal cost and can completely rely on found objects or if you want a particular theme it is easy enough to gather items prior to your trip.

The wonderful thing about this craft is it can make be used to make a variety of designs and symbols that can fit the theme of your festival and

In my pictures you will see that I am using some laboratory glassware and did it in my garage. This is a simply me being a geek and having a rainy day.. Other things that work just as well are old bowls, the bottom half of plasitic one gallon water or milk containers, short boxes made of wood or cardboard can be used. Whatever contain you choose should be two to four inches deep (5 -10cm).

When you are purchasing Plaster of Paris make sure you buy the a non-toxic variety. I found that they had a wide selection at the craft store and many where made with polymer or other additives to help with drying or cracking.

None of those things are needed to have a sucessful sand cast and should be avoided for both personal health and environmental reasons.

SandCasting How-to

be placed around the camp site as acharming and durable decoration (always take them with you when you leave to keep your site as you found it). If you are one of the people in charge of crafting for a festival a cool idea is to pick a spot that is not

and casting is easily done outdoors because S it does not require a lot of preparation or clean up. This project can be made at the beach right in the sand or in a large bowl filled with moist sand.

Continued on 16

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May 2012 • Volume 3 11

Pagan Edge Books for Wisdom

12

The Triumph of the Moon:

by Ronald Hutton $16.49

Pagan Polyamory: Becoming a Tribe of Hearts

by Raven Kaldera $17.43

Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse...

by Diana L. Paxson $10.36

The Pagan Clergy's Guide for Counseling, Cr...

by Kevin Gardner $15.59

Exploring the Northern Tradition:

by Galina Krasskova $10.19

The Study of Witchcraft:

by Deborah Lipp $11.01

Growing Up Pagan:

by Raine Hill $13.58

Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic

by Edred Thorsson $11.53

Pagan Spain

by Richard Wright $20.00

Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves:

by Sarah M. Pike $28.95

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New Age and Neopagan Religions in America

by Sarah M. Pike $28.00

Passages Handfasting:

by Rev. Dr. Kendra Vaughan Hovey $10.07

Food of

By Zedral Z

G

Gods

oing to gatherings, rituals, and drum circles is fun and exciting. Now that spring has been firmly established, the weather is nicer and we nature loving Pagans like to take to the great outdoors.

• • • • •

Spring and summer are prime seasons for get-togethers with other like-minded people, often in a campground setting. You know - drafty shower houses (if any), stinky toilets, tents, sleeping bags, no kitchen… No kitchen?!

What’s a kitchen witch to do without her hearth?

Does this mean cooking everything over an open fire? Well, no, not unless you want to.

of the practical kitchen gear that the well-prepared kitchen witch should have. Then, we’ll take a look at setting up a traveling kitchen altar.

This month, we’re going to look at setting up a hearth away from home so kitchen witches everywhere can feel at home and empowered no matter where you set up camp. First, we’ll look at some

When going on a camping trip, a lot of people say it’s best to pack light. I say it’s best to be prepared for any possible emergency. This list is a compromise between those two viewpoints.

•

•

•

•

Coleman PVC Double Wash Basin

•

•

Camping stove – this can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

A simple two-burner propane camping stove is what I use.

Small fire extinguisher because you just never know.

Small nonstick frying pan – fry eggs and bacon,

• • • •

make pancakes, etc.

Plastic or silicone spatula – turn your food without damaging your frying pan.

Tea kettle or percolating coffee pot Small sauce pan – if you have this, you can skip the tea kettle.

Plastic cutting board Good medium-sized knife, as sharp as you can get it Re-useable plastic dishes and cutlery – lightweight, washable. Why create more waste?

Trash bags – leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.

Can opener /bottle opener combo (or a good Swiss

army knife) Plastic tub for washing dishes, dish cloth, biodegradable soap Oven mitt and a tea towel or two First-aid kit Lidded plastic container to

Continued on Page 25

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May 2012 • Volume 3 13

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May 2012 • Volume 3 15

Continued from 11 Step One: The supplies • • • • • • • • •

Sand Plaster of Paris Water Five 3 in / 7cm long twigs Assorted stones, beads or shells Stiff bristled paintbrushes Medium mixing container (32oz/ 1liter) Larger molding bowl or container Paint stirrer or old wooden spoon

Step Two: Preparing the Sand Dry sand is the one big no-no for this craft.

Since it is our mold base it needs to be damp enough to be packed down and hold what ever shape is being used. Get the sand evenly moist by adding a bit of water then spreading and mixing with your hands until it holds its shape as a clump in your hand (see example on

The point here is to have an arrangement that the plaster can stick to while avoiding letting it leak around your obects. You want the finished product to look like the image below.

If you mess up pull out your objects, repeat step three and give it another try.

Step Five: Follow the instructions on your plaster container for mixing up the plaster. I found the best results are when you slowly add your plaster to the water while slowly stirring. This will prevent lumping. The plaster should be smooth, creamy and pour freely.

Step Six: Slowly pour the plaster over your objects so that you get even coverage and keep out air bubbles. Let the plaster setup for at least an hour.

Step Seven: Gently pry your sand casting from your container and let if finish drying according to its instructions. Brush it off gently to remove excess sand and you are done!

page 11).

Step Three: Forming your Mold In the container of your choice form a roughly 6-inch diameter circle about 2-inches deep; this will be your mold. Smooth the floor of the mold with your hand or a small flat bottomed cup and pat it down gently.

Step Four: Place your items on the floor of the mold and gently but firmly push them into the surface.

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Fe

s tiv a

ls o f t h e W 2012

May

Elf Fest Indiana Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary http://www.elvinhome.org/event.php?EventID=2 Rites of Spring Earth Spirit, south western Massachusetts http://www.earthspirit.com/ros/rosb.html

June

d l or

August

Pagan Pride UK Festival First Sunday in August Nottingham, United Kingdom http://www.paganpride.org.uk/ COPH NIA August 8-12 Our Haven, French Lick, IN http://www.cophnia.org/

Pagan Unity Festival May 17th ~ 20th Montgomery Bell State Park Burns, TN http://www.paganunityfestival.org/home.html

Wisteria Cornstalk Festival August 31-September 3, 2012 Presented by Wisteria Event Site Wisteria Event Site, near Athens, OH

Pagan Spirit Gathering June 17-24 Stonehouse Park, near Earlville IL http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg

September

Wisteria Summer Solstice June 17 - 24, 2012 Southeastern Ohio http://www.wisteria.org/wisteria-summer-solstice.htm

July

Faerieworlds 2012 Summer Celebration July 27-29th Mount Pisgah in Eugene, Oregon http://faerieworlds.com Summerstar July 19-22nd Columbia River Gorge, WA State http://www.summerstar.org/

The Mercian Gathering First Weekend in September Near Nuneaton, United Kingdom http://www.merciangathering.com Pagan Pathways Festival September 13-16, 2012 Sponsored by North Georgia Solitaries Dragon Hills Retreat, near Carrollton, GA

October

Phoenix Festivals Autumn Meet October 17th - 21st http://phoenixfestivals.com/ Nine Worlds Fall Festival October 18-21, 2012 Ramblewood Retreat Center in Darlington, MD

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May 2012 • Volume 3 17

Behind Life’s Curtain

Forest Spirit Guide

By Stephanie Rose Bird In the forest, life appears to be free and easy, happy-golucky, with a certain amount of perpetual order as a result.

But in fact, beneath all that there is order and reason; reaching everywhere is the firm, controlling hand of the forest itself.

--Anthropologist, Dr. Colin Turnbull There is an aweinspiring tradition of bringing together plant energy with divinity, spiritual and personal energy called Vodou. Vodou affirms relationships between cycles of life, tree of knowledge and spirit. Vodou vision of spirits understands them

as the intelligence of energy present in humans, nature and thoughts.

Mysteries can be understood through spirits, goddesses and gods known in this path as Lwa. Lwas are intermediaries

strength, vision, ego, capriciousness and fickle emotions; they can be demanding and sometimes Every Lwa has an elaborate symbolic tricky. Three forest representation that can be conceived of as a ritual field guides of Vodou drawing used to invoke it. Veves are drawn on the pantheon listed ground with cornmeal and create a pathway between below are specific Lwa and practitioner. Not for the layperson, Veves are only to sacred wood. If properly drawn by three groups of people: Oungan (High you are a student of initiated priest) or Manbo (high initiated priestess), Boko world mythology, also called sorcerers. Boko can be evil or good. Their you’ll notice Vodou work is considered for immediacy; addressing here pantheon embraces and now—they work veve, sometimes for less than universal archetypes spiritual ends. of living deities across the planet.

Veves

between Bondye, very remote, omnipotent God and humans. The Lwa were once mortals and share some human characteristics for better or worse including 18

™• May 2012 • Volume 3

1. Gran Bwa— this Lwa helps you connect to ancestral roots or spiritual home of Vodou.

Offerings of basins of water, leaves, roots, branches or flowers are welcomed. A drawing of ‘tree of life’ is a good

Continued on Page 23

SoundS oF the Edge this album I find a different aspect to help open new inner doors. If you are looking for a great introduction to New Age music or want a familiar yet complex experience, I recommend this album as a great first choice.

T

hrough my teen years, my guilty and private pleasure was the NPR radio show “Hearts of Space” (which is on the air to this day). Every Sunday night I would go to bed early to be immersed in the sounds of an artist I had never heard or dreamed could exist. I can say that some of my first transcendental experiences came from listening to this music while first learning meditation. This forever linked music to my spirituality.

In my mid-twenties I moved to Los Angeles for my first full time job. I almost immediately looked for and found a local Pagan shop “The Crystal Cave” in Claremont California. This was a wondrous place for me as it allowed me to feel completely at home and of peace in a way that the greater world is still not ready to “allow”. The owner always had the latest artist playing in the background and I was finally able to purchase a wide selection of the Celtic, New Age, Pagan Rock, and electronica I had been listening to on the radio for years.

As I listened to “Magickal Nights” by Andreas I was transported back to those moments of my life where I first experienced this kind of classical New Age instrumental music. This album is finely crafted with enchanting layers of sound and melody that surround the soul as it cradles and guides you through a soothing yet dynamic range of magickal emotions. Each time I replay

Released on the Paradise Music label, “Magickal Nights” features acoustic guitars, piano, flute, chimes, and strings, along with a touch of Magick from Andreas. It is available from either http://www.paradisemusic.co.uk or http://www.paradisemusic.us.com.

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From the CD BaCKCover Following on from his award winning album Nature Angels (COVR Best New Age album 2010) Andreas has created an album for those who want to bring magick into their lives.

Magickal Nights is not only mystical and romantic in its production but has been put together with great sensitivity and love for the Goddess.

Andreas creates the perfect ambience for those wishing to bring the things we want into our lives through working with magick or simply losing themselves in a velvet night sky of enchanting music.

Paradise Music Ltd was launched in early 2005 by Popular new age music artists Llewellyn & Juliana and Neil Worgan. With offices now based in the UK and USA, Paradise Music has quickly become one of the fastest growing international music companies in the World. In 2008 they won the Best New Age Album at INATS in Denver Colorado. In 2010 they again won Best New Age Album and Best World Album.

In 2011 they won Best Healing/Meditational Album, Best Speciality Album and the highly prestigious Best Overall Music album with Reiki Starlight.

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May 2012 • Volume 3 19

The PaganEdge

Book Review

by Faelin Wolf

first book) stands out as different because Kitty, the main character and a werewolf herself, is not your typical urban fantasy ass-kicking lead character! Be warned, though—once you start the series, you’ll find it hard to stop! At least, I have!

Kitty and the Midnight Hour

by Carrie Vaughn, 2005, ISBN: 0446616419

I had this book on my “to read” list for quite some time. I figured it was the typical urban fantasy with a strong female main character who kicks some butt. I was happy to discover that I was at least a little bit wrong. This series (this is the

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Kitty is a late night DJ who was turned as a werewolf a few years back. She lives in Denver and is involved with her pack, but it is not a very healthy relationship. The alpha male and female of the pack encourage her to be submissive, to be childlike and let everyone else take care of her. The will of the alphas dictates her life. Slowly but surely, this begins to grate on Kitty, especially when she starts a successful late night talk show that discusses anything and everything supernatural. As more and more folks begin to follow her show and believe what she is saying, she has to face the consequences—including the repercussions of outing herself as a werewolf. She also begins to be more independent and defiant, traits that are not appreciated within her pack and come with their own consequences.

One of the interesting parts of this book is being able to watch Kitty grow in her independence and confidence.

Vaughn has created an interesting, funny, sensitive character that struggles with her human and werewolf sides.

This is a really great start to an engaging series that seems to be getting better with each book.

Happy reading!

Festival Fun! All words and clues are from this issue

N Y C U V E R R J Y B W Q C O

A R K S C H C L W A E K U O F C W C S Y M X L T J M R I W I D P D W R T W M X P B T D U Y C Z Q L O Y L M L Y C T K B P I A E M M U R A C A A I L F V F A F X I M S L R A Y O I O C Q A M B A T K F S L T R I C R T B O C E A E O S E X M W U L I P E R P R E S H U I G G A Y M K M K F T N D M A H R J F O W F Q I N V M T N E V O T S Y T A M Z A M P I N G F W Y S P Z W G U Q K S S E Q K T C E D

Z F B K U H E W S B B Y A L U

ALTAR CAMPING FESTIVAL FOREST IBO LWA MAGICKAL OLOFI PLASTER REFRACTION SAND STOVE UNITY

Across 2. Strumpets 3. Faith Gathering 5. Columbia River 6. Part of new Title 8. First day of May 9. Getting together Down 1. DJ 4. Musical Artist 7. June 17-24

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May 2012 • Volume 3 21

Continued from Page 10

laughing voice as she weaved in and out of the other attendees. The attendees started drumming and clapping their hands and making noise to cheer them on. Brian called back as they ran around the fire, which was rapidly growing. The tempo of the drumming increased as they made their laps. After three circles, Brian finally caught up to Rose.

The noise abruptly ceased.

Rose recited her lines easily.

Brian recited his lines in return.

Then they kissed, long and passionately. When they

broke the kiss, everyone clapped and cheered. They both flushed red and looked embarassed. “It’ll take a little more than a kiss to start a family,” Rose said in a low voice as the dancing started.

Brian smiled. “We’ll take care of that part later. Now, come on, let’s dance,” he said, and pulled into the circle. Rose laughed and followed him. It was the most fun she’d ever had at Beltane.

And one year later, Rose and Brian had to miss Beltane because Rose had just given birth to their first child.

J

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™• May 2012 • Volume 3

Continued from Page 18 conduit to Gran Bwa. A tree sapling can be planted on Gran Bwa’s behalf. Gran Bwa energy exists at each magical point of every tree . Ask Gran Bwa to enter heart, arm, and legs through a ritual dance in the wood.

2. Gran Ibo—Tree talker, Divinity that Ruth Bass interviewed, and others undiscovered by the outside world, were obviously in touch with spirits of the swamp along with many African American root doctors and treaters (secret doctors) from New Orleans, rural Louisiana, the southeast and Midwest. They would relate well to Gran Ibo. Those who find magic and wisdom in the swamp also need to know Gran Ibo, Lwa of swamps.

She understands ‘language of plants’ and is holder of ancient plant knowledge—all the way from its roots because that is where knowledge is held.

Everything natural, trees, roots, leaves, pods, flowers, bark, insects, animals, bird, reptiles—all of them find their way through difficulty by attuning to wisdom hidden in cypress roots. Swamps pulsate with intelligence capable of nonverbal spiritual commune if you are open to Gran Ibo.

father of Lwa, patron of earth, an important part of the tri-partite aspects of God. Olofi represents Ashe and creativity; can also appear as a pregnant woman, eternally representing Mother Earth— Earth—God and the Goddess as one.

Biography Stephanie Rose Bird is an

eclectic pagan, as a practicing Hoodoo, Green Witch, magickal herbalist and aromatherapist.

She is a visual artist and the author of five books: • The Big Book of Soul: the Ultimate Guide to the African American Spirit Legends and Lore, Music and Mysticism and Recipes and Rituals, (2010, Hampton Road Publishers) • A Healing Grove: African Tree Medicine, Remedies and Rituals ( 2010, Chicago Review Press) • Light, Bright, Damn Near White: Biracial and Triracial Culture in America and Beyond (2009, Praeger Press) • Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs (June 2004, Llewellyn Worldwide Publishers) and • Four Seasons of Mojo: an Herbal Guide to Natural Living” (Llewellyn Worldwide Publishers, 2006).

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She has written for numerous magazines including “Sage Woman,” “Natural Home and Garden,” “Herb Quarterly,” “The Beltane Papers,” “PanGaia,” www. naturallycurly.com and “Llewellyn Herbal Almanac.” Bird offers workshops in botanical crafts and magickal herbalism across the country.

3. Olofi—seek Olofi for balanced Ashe (inherent power).

Offerings of komubucha mushroom tea, roots, artistic symbols or creative efforts are appreciated.

This is

Please welcome her to our new column “Behind Life’s Curtain”.

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May 2012 • Volume 3 23

Continued From page 20

Book Review fantasy terrariums then include the “recipe”— all the materials and how to construct it, step by step. They also offer tips on how to care for the plants involved in each terrarium. The book ends with an awesome resource section to help you find the materials you might need to start your own terrariums!

Terrarium Craft:

Create 50 Magical, Miniature Worlds

by Amy Bryant Aiello, Kate Bryant, and Kate Baldwin, 2011, ISBN: 978-1604692341

Two things: First, I’m a collector when I’m in nature. I like to pick up pretty or interesting rocks, feathers, bones, dried grasses, sticks, or shells when I go on walks and hikes. Since moving to the Southwest United States, I’ve even been known to tote home a small cactus or two. Most times, these things go on my altar, on my windowsills, or on the mantel. Second, I’ve always loved terrariums, but assumed they were complicated to put together and maintain.

I am so glad I found Terrarium Craft! The authors make building a terrarium easy. They briefly describe common terrarium materials from containers (mostly glassware vases and jars), to sand and soil, to plants themselves. Then, they break down visually, through photographs, how to construct two different types of terrariums.

The majority of the book, however, is something like a terrarium cookbook. They show pictures of beautiful little forest, desert, beach, and

When I saw this book, the first thing I thought was how lovely a small terrarium might look on my altar. As I flipped through the book, the authors frequently use crystals and other semi-precious stones in the terrariums as well as plants, shells, and other little trinkets. How awesome would it be to create a small terrarium to your favored deity? They also encourage creativity—the “recipes” are there for those who might need some help getting started, but the authors encourage you to do what feels right or looks right. Tweak the designs and make them your own! Make them a little more magickal!

Send us your terrarium pictures—I’d love to see what our readers are up to.

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™• May 2012 • Volume 3

Continued from Page 13

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hold this traveling kitchen Small folding table – to set up the stove, chop, etc.

Cooler full of ice, basic food supplies Tongs, serving utensils, aluminum foil (for packet cooking), matches or lighters.

The list above may look lengthy, but many of the items can be stacked or store inside other items, and most things are relatively light. Now we can talk about what kind of a traveling altar for the kitchen witch on the go.

If you packed up your cooking supplies in a plastic container, you have instant altar space. It can be kept under the folding table, or given its own spot somewhere near your outdoor kitchen. A traveling kitchen altar is strictly optional, of course, but they are easy to put together and light to carry.

The focus of the kitchen altar is bringing the protective energies of the home to this new place. In this case, you want a bundle of sage or rosemary for smudging.

There you have it. Many of the comforts of home in the beauty of nature. Once you have your campsite set up and everything unpacked, smudge your area and do whatever else you need to do to prepare the area. Welcome your hearth deity and offer at least some water. Light your hearth flame and you’re all set to enjoy the gathering season (and eat well, too).

J

Other useful items include: • Table cloth or altar cloth • Picture or other representation of your hearth deity • Candle, small lantern, or other small light source to represent the hearth (or just use the stove) • Offering bowl (don’t leave offerings of food outside overnight or you’ll attract all sorts of critters) • Anything else you would include on your altar that you feel safe traveling with, or whatever you would include in your regular traveling altar – elemental representations, magical tools, etc.

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May 2012 • Volume 3 25

Continued from Page 8 survive even if you don’t share every opinion you ever have.

However, there are times when your values and wisdom do make an incredible difference.

Don’t be afraid to speak up to correct blatant error or to share your feelings on a matter of great importance. Simplicity and kindness can (and usually do!) make more difference than a PhD level diatribe.

What you cart in, make sure to cart out. Dirty dishes, trash, handouts and flyers all should be cleared of the area that you attended. As Pagans one of our primary goals is to walk softly on the Earth and to leave it a better place than we found it. Store a cheap box of outdoor garbage sacks in the car and be prepared to use them, for trash, recycling finds, or even for a wet bathing suit that needs to be carried home without damaging the auto interior. If you take pets along for the outing, remember to take along any pet necessities such as pooper-scoopers and food and water dishes that can be resealed after use.

While we might be inclined to think that leaving behind pet food is good for the animals, some animals--such as skunks, raccoons and rats are simply not wanted in public parks and areas. Foods can also attract snakes, a dangerous addition to a park frequented

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by children.

Above all things, be gracious.

It may seem to go without saying, yet say it we must.

Times are very different than in the days when all people knew the laws of hospitality.

Called laws because there were severe penalties incurred for being either a bad host or a bad guest. A perusal of the Brehon Law will turn up the codes of behavior, conduct and social customs such as they were implemented in Celt society. Remember that if you are hosting a gathering, the comfort, well-being and needs of guests falls upon you and your circle. If you are a guest to another’s area, remember that it is no easy thing to navigate the needs of so many at one time. If you are hosting, anticipate the needs.

If you are a guest, appreciate the hard work that has gone into making you comfortable and welcome. Leave things the same as or better than you found them. If you plan to leave a monetary gift for your hosts, do so in a thank-you card that may be opened after your departure so that they may take the time to rest and read your words of gratitude and love. Offer to pitch in and pay part of the costs, to clean after the event or run errands before it. As nice as it is to visit until the wee hours of the morning,

remember that your hosts are more than likely quite tired. Excuse yourself at a reasonable hour so they may rest and refresh. If you are at a group gathering, try to keep noise at a minimum in response to others that are in the surrounding area and are not part of your group.

If you are a host to guests, anticipate what they might need and have it readily available. Items such as toothbrushes, razors, soap, lotion, shampoo would be welcome to the traveler that may have forgotten these.

Fruits or small snacks in the room will allow your guest to take a bit of sustenance even if you are unavailable.

Rise early and prepare coffee, tea or breakfast items and plan to offer some sort of refreshment throughout the day and evening. Meals should be relaxing and able to accomodate both meateaters and vegetarians. If you are hosting a group event, arrive early to the area and quickly scan about for any dangerous objects or areas -- remove and/or cordon them off.

These are just some of the ways you can make sure your gatherings are fun-filled and enjoyable for everyone. Enjoy the retreats, gatherings and vacations!

✪

Lead paint poisoning affects over one million children today.

Learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech delays, violent behavior and, in rare cases, seizures and even death: these are just some of the effects lead paint poisoning has on young children. If your home was built before 1978, lead paint on your walls, doors, windows and sills may be dangerous. And it’s not just large paint chips that can cause damage. In fact, three granules of lead dust are enough to poison your child. Let’s make all kids lead-free kids. To learn more about the simple steps you can take to safeguard your family, log on to LEADFREEKIDS.org or call 800-424-LEAD.

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May 2012 • Volume 3 27

Moving is the best medicine. Keeping active and losing weight are just two of the ways that you can fight osteoarthritis pain. In fact, for every pound you lose, that’s four pounds less pressure on each knee.

For information on managing pain, go to fightarthritispain.org.

™• May 2012 • Volume 3