Dreaming the Mysteries by Pagan Edge Magazine

Labyrinths Simple Apple Crisp Book Review Dreaming Awake The Dickensian Holiday Create with Dough Live Yule Trees

“Dreaming the Mysteries” December 2010 Volume 1• Issue 12 ™• December 2010 • Volume I

™• December 2010 • Volume I

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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 these 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 www.paganedge.com

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™• December 2010 • Volume I

contents 6 Keeping the Edge The Dickensian Holiday

8 Plant Vibes Going Live... Yule Love It

10 Urban Shaman Dreaming Awake

Inside: Wendy Beth gives instructions for making your own runes

12 PE Book Review 13 101 A Comic Strip 14 HandeCraft Decorate & Create with Dough

16 Elders Corner Labyrinths 18 Eclectic Cooking Simple Apple Crisp

VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2010 “DREAMING THE MYSTERIES” PAGAN EDGE™ IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PERSONAL VISIONS ADMIN@PAGANEDGE.COM ™• December 2010 • Volume I

Keeping the Edge

by Mya Om

All it takes is a single conversation with a Pagan from a JudeoChristian background to reveal the dichotomy inherent in the annual celebration of Yule — aka the Winter Solstice...

The Dickensian Holiday In large part this division stems from antipathy towards the holiday itself because it is the most glaring representation of the dilation of Pagan life blood into Christianity, a religious belief rejected by Pagans. However, the pervasiveness of Christianity as both a cultural construct and religious tradition in Europe and America makes it almost impossible to void the comparisons.

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Those with a bit of knowledge will talk about the Christianization of Europe and usurpation of traditionally Pagan holidays by the new invading religion.1 This process of assimilating native traditions into the new religious construct was thought to remove barriers and to encourage reluctant Pagans to convert by systematically eroding their reasons for objecting to conversion – of course it didn’t hurt that the penalty for failing to convert was death.2 So they talk about Christmas in a scornful tone, they refer to the high likelihood that Jesus was actually born in the spring, and not December. They sigh about the usurpation of the Yule Log and the Christmas Tree, and they bemoan the tradition of exchanging gifts. When asked about Christmas, they sniff delicately and put their noses in the air and state, “we do not celebrate Christmas in my family, we celebrate Yule.” Yet step foot into their houses during the season and it is likely as decked out as any Christian’s home with the paraphernalia of the season – but dare to call it Christmas decorations and the knives will come out.

clergy, it is easy to forget that Christmas as we know it today is a product of the Victorian Era and is no more ancient than the pseudo-neo pagan beliefs that began to emerge at the same time period. So what exactly are we celebrating when Santa comes for a visit, or when we put up a tree with decorations, and stack the multitude of gifts in their shiny wrapping paper under it? What relevance do any of these things have to either the birth of Christ or to the Solstice? Absolutely nothing. The modern traditions associated with Christmas and by extension Yule, are nothing more than the creative creations of Dickensian era authors and their campaign to address social injustice and feelings of rootlessness in the industrial age.3 Christianity and Jesus’ role was solely to provide a moral imperative for treating individuals with a degree of humanity and kindness – Scrooge anyone?

hoard the tree, the log, and the presents? The image that comes to mind is that of the Pagan counting his traditions, in much the same way Dickens’ Scrooge counts his money. Is it going to take a visit from three ghosts to get them to realize that the past is over? It is not as if we wipe out the past 2000+ years. In a way, Christianity through assimilating parts of the holiday traditions of the native Pagans acted to preserve them. So isn’t it time to let go of the hurts of the past, and to move on? My grandmother always said “a man with both eyes on the past Dickensian continued on page 19

In picking Yule and Christmas as their battleground holiday, it is amusing to note that these Pagans have totally missed the point of the modern Dickensian Holiday. Why

In focusing on the ancient historical conflict between European Pagans and the invading Romans with their Christianity and creative

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Plant Vibes

by Dawn Sherwood

GOING LIVE... YULE LOVE IT! Do you feel guilty each year when you choose your fresh cut Yule tree? You love the look, the scent, the tradition. You know the tree was farmed, not culled from the wild. Still, there’s a twinge of remorse over cutting this living beauty away from its roots, just for your pleasure, then putting it out with the trash a few weeks later. Well then, perhaps you should try a live tree this year. Even those who don’t suffer from Tannenbaum anxiety can appreciate the benefits of purchasing a live, roots intact evergreen on which to display their holiday trimmings. Such trees are intended to be planted out, instead of tossed out, after the holiday. So, there’s no guilt over cutting a life short or creating more trash, you get more bang for your buck as your Yule tree doubles as a landscape addition that increases in value each year, and it serves as a living reminder of that special time of year. Live trees are typically sold at heights from 2-4 feet so you won‘t need to rearrange all the household furniture to accommodate one. You will, however, need to plan ahead more than you would for a cut tree. Go tree shopping a few weeks before you actually plan to Going Live continued on page 21 8

™• December 2010 • Volume I

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Illustration by Ankolie 10

™• December 2010 • Volume I

reaming Awake

Dreams are an amazing tool for any energy worker. They work out mental stresses, they can help us sort out daily problems and obstacles, and they can also provide us insights into the world and people around us. They are powerful tools which affect our waking life when we take the time to remember and understand them. By using some simple dream magick in your life, you can empower your desires and explore a whole new fascinating world. Many of the medicine men and shamans from the past were aware of the dreamtime around them and used their knowledge to accomplish actual ritual workings at night. Many called this practice “Spirit Journey” and the phrase is still used today in pagan circles and urban shamans as reference to working in one’s dreams and deep meditations. This powerful way of working can be learned by anyone. It simply takes a bit of work and some simple tricks to start. Here are some basic suggestions to help you gain more control of your dreams in a few easy steps.

the Urban Shaman

by Michelle “Crowskin” Bond

First, keep a dream journal. This is a very important step for anyone who wants to start working any sort of dream magick. When you keep a specific journal of your dreams, images and sensations at night, it will start to train your mind into recalling and remembering more each time you sleep. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy or ornate. Remember this will be your private journal for this specific purpose. If you want to decorate it with images and themes that show up most in your dreams, certainly feel free to. Make sure it has a special place beside you on a night-time table. When you wake up, be sure to scribble down any associating words first before you write out the specific dream. This is a simple and important step which will save you plenty of headaches. A short list of words that are relevant to your dreams will jog your memory in case you forget specific details. If you aren’t used to recalling your dreams, don’t be distressed if it takes you a while to start remembering more. Eventually the

more focused you are with trying to recall details, the more details will become clear. Another helpful tip to try is when drifting off to sleep start affirming strongly that you want to remember your dreams. Sometimes being the last thought in your head causes your subconscious mind to pay special attention to what you are doing. This is also a good time to look over problems and obstacles in your way right now and ask the universe to help send you dreams of problem solving. Remember we live in a magickal world. Dreams sometimes have the best answers that our waking mind can’t comprehend. Sleeping with a dream pillow is often helpful for those who learn and remember more with scent. If you find that you tend to use a lot of different incense and aromatherapy in your workings, this is a great option for you to try. Use appropriate and safe herb mixes related to dreaming and astral travel. Remember: all magick is based deeply on intent. Intent really is half the battle on this one. Dreaming continued on page 20 ™• December 2010 • Volume I

The Pagan Edge

Book Review Mindful Knitting:

Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft by Tara Jon Manning, 2004 ISBN: 0804835438

When November and December roll around, I’m thinking about holiday gifts. I love to knit—and if I started knitting my gifts earlier in the year, I might be able to make everyone on my list a little something! I find knitting to be relaxing and something enjoyable to do with my hands, especially during the cold months where I can wrap up in a blanket on the couch and knit away. Tara Jon Manning offers a new aspect to our knitting—mindfulness meditation. Manning says in her Introduction on page 4, “As knitters, we know this soothing effect of our craft… The ordinariness of the world gives way to a sense that every thing holds a little bit of magic… We can give ourselves this gift of viewing everything with this sense of wonder and appreciation when we simply learn to focus our attention and notice ourselves and the world around us.” She asks the readers to consider themselves “Mindful Knitters” and to learn to focus on the present through the creation of each knitted stitch. After the Mindful Knitter learns to connect with herself, Manning encourages connecting, and giving,

to others. Don’t worry—if you’ve never heard or experienced mindfulness before, she offers a lovely explanation and covers a range of topics such as non-judgment, focusing on the moment, and letting “thinking” go. And if you’ve never knit before, she offers guidance for beginning knitters as well, starting off with a simple scarf and progressing to creating your own sweater. Each chapter in the book guides you step by step on your mindful knitting journey, starting simply with both your knitting and your meditation and progressing to more complicated projects. For those with a bit more experience, either with knitting or meditation, the last half of the book offers five additional projects that are connected to Buddhist and meditation principles. Give yourself a gift this holiday season—learn to be a Mindful Knitter.

The Hob’s Bargain

by Patricia Briggs, 2001 ISBN: 0441008135 Patricia Briggs has recently become popular for her Mercy Thompson series and her Alpha and Omega series, both dealing with werewolves, shifters, and other supernatural beings. The Hob’s Bargain is one of Briggs’s early works and is different from her current Book Review continued on page 22

20 12

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Decorate & Create Dough Ingredients • 2 cups Flour • 1 cup Salt • 1 cup Water or Herbal Infusion Optional • Whole Herbs • Powdered Herbs • Food Coloring • Essential Oils Other Supplies • Baking Sheet • Wax Paper • Rolling Pin • Tea Ball, Strainer, or Coffee Filter • Cookie Cutters • Sculpting Tools • Molds • Paint • Glitter • Sealer • Wire • Eye Screws • Ribbon or Embroidery Floss • Glue • Small Gemstones • Beads • Other Decorative Items Preparing the Herbal Infusion Gather the desired dried herbs. If a tea ball is available, place the herbs in the tea ball. If not, place herbs directly in a large mug or small glass bowl. Pre-made tea bags can also be used for the infusion. Pour a little more than a cup of boiled water over the herbs. Let the infusion steep for about an hour. Covering the infusion will aid in the steeping 14

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with Dough

process. If a tea ball was not used, the infusion will need to be strained. To strain, use a second mug or small bowl with a fine strainer or coffee filter secured with a rubber band placed on top. Preparing the Dough In a bowl, mix with hands or a spoon: flour, salt, and any dried powdered herbs. Then add either warm water or the herbal infusion made in the previous step. Mix with hands or a spoon until smooth and doughy. Dough can be stored in a plastic bag or tightly sealed container until needed. If the dough needs to be stored for a longer period of time, then keep in the refrigerator. If dough has been stored in the refrigerator, it will need to come to room temperature before using, by either allowing it to sit out for a few hours or by running the well sealed plastic bag under warm water while kneading. If dough starts to dry out, add a little bit of water. If the dough becomes moldy, throw it out and make fresh dough. Liquid food coloring can be added to the dough for color if desired. Essential Oils can also be added for scent.

Using Dough with Cookie Cutter Roll dough out on wax paper with a rolling pin to about 1/4” thick. Use cookie cutters to cut

out shapes. Use a toothpick or the tip of a pencil to poke a hole at the top for string or thin ribbon. Free Form Sculpting with Dough Form dough using ball construction, coil construction, or any other sculpting method. Candy or soap molds can also be used. Use sculpting tools to add and enhance details. Poke a hole in the top of the piece to later be used for adding an eye screw to hang. Adding Decoration Before Baking Rather than poking a hole for ribbon string or an eye screw, a wire hanger can be embedded in the dough for hanging. Bend a piece of thin wire such as uncoated floral wire into a “U” shape. Then bend the tips of the wire out on both sides so that once in place it will not come out easily. Insert the bent wire into the top of the dough item and form the dough around it. An “eye” from a hook-and-eye clasp can also be used. Glass beads can also be embedded in the dough prior to baking. Beware beads with a shiny or iridescent finish may be altered during baking. Black E-beads are wonderful to use for eyes. A little dough pushed around the top and bottom of the bead gives the appearance of eye lids.

Handecraft

a how-to by Wendy Beth

Some gemstones can also be embedded before baking. Do not add fragile gemstones such as opals prior to baking. If you are uncertain if a gemstone is safe to bake, make an impression of the stone where it is to be placed and glue it in place after baking. Baking Dough Bake dough items on a nonstick cookie sheet for about an hour. If the item is thicker that 1 inch, it may need more time to cook. Finishing Dough Use acrylic paint to add details and information such as the year and name of the owner of the ornament. Seal the dough item with a water based sealer. If the ornament was made with a fragrance, leave the back unsealed. Glitter, beads, gemstones, and rhinestones should be glued on last. Insert a hanger and hang on your Yule tree or give them as gifts. The dough can also be used to make other items such as runes that can be given as gifts.

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abyrinths L Every year on December 31st, my husband, son and I would hunt for the sleeping bags, prepare a dish to pass and load munchies into a grocery bag. We would then travel about twenty-five miles away to spend the night at one of the brother’s houses with other family members. We would watch movies, play cards and various board games, and eat, eat, and then eat some more until the countdown at midnight occurred.

However, in 1999 I thought my husband and I should do something “different” for December 31st 1999. One day I happened to be talking to a friend about December 31st and how I felt I needed to do something different, something special. She asked me if I had 16

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ever walked a labyrinth. When I said no she told me about a place owned by two women who were planning on creating a temporary labyrinth for that evening. She said she would get their phone number for me.

everyone to enjoy the labyrinth. It is now one of the more famous labyrinths in the world and

Years ago I had read the myths about the Minotaur and the labyrinth but that was the extent of my knowledge regarding labyrinths. So I decided to do some research. At the time I had a choice of three books, one of which was titled Walking the Labyrinth written by Lauren Artress. Her book discusses what a labyrinth is, their history and how people used them. I was especially fascinated with one labyrinth called the Chartre Labyrinth. The labyrinth was discovered when the old carpet was being removed in the Chartre Cathedral. The church members decided to simply clean the floor and allow

After I called and spoke with one of the women who owned the property, I spoke with my husband and told him about my idea of walking a labyrinth on December 31st... Would he like to go with me? His reply was he would go with me but he was not going to walk a labyrinth. My reply was that he did not have to walk the labyrinth.

thousands of people of all spiritual paths walk it.

We arrived at the sanctuary, met the two owners, took a tour of the facility and were then checked into our cabin which contained a set of bunk beds, a dry sink and a covered pail with clean water. There was no television, electric

From the Elders Corner by Lucille M Rose

or telephone and we had our own little outhouse behind the cabin. We were told everyone was to assemble in the main house at 7:30 pm. That evening we found ourselves standing with twenty people, waiting for further instructions. When everyone was accounted for, we followed the two women to the loft of another building, warm and softly lit. They encouraged us to read any poems or articles if we had brought them with us. Someone had brought a didgeridoo, another person had a crystal singing bowl, a few people had rattles and others had drums. After raising energy it was time for us to gather our coats, hats, gloves and boots.

We loaded the luminaries onto a sled and headed out to the labyrinth.

It was very cold that evening and the snow was knee deep. Since there was no moon, the sky was dark so the stars were more visible than usual. We were extremely fortunate that evening because there was an unusual number of shooting stars. It felt like we were being entertained by the night sky. When we got to the labyrinth we helped place the luminaries in their positions. We all lined up at the entrance. According to Lauren Artress, when you approach the entrance to a labyrinth you are supposed to pose your query and then walk the labyrinth. I took a deep breath, cleared my mind and with it went all the wonderful questions I had ready for this moment! I had a blank mind and a deer in the headlights look. I found myself only capable of moving my feet one at a time –right left right left.

For anyone who has not walked a chartre style labyrinth there is a flow and ebb pattern –moving towards the center, moving away, moving back towards the center, repeating the pattern until you are in the very center of the labyrinth. When I reached the center I felt disappointed.

Where was my message, revelation or inspiring breathtaking moment? I started my return trip back to the entrance but after a few minutes found myself back in the center with two other women...now how odd was that? How can one possibly get lost in this type of labyrinth? Talk about being shocked, surprised and feeling stupid! I started the return trip again to the entrance. After awhile, I began to notice Labyrinths continued on page 24 ™• December 2010 • Volume I

Eclectic Cooking

by Wendy Beth

e l p m i S apple crisp Ingredients • Filling: Apples, Cinnamon, Sugar, Flour • Topping: Minute Oatmeal, Softened Butter or Butter Spread, Brown Sugar, Flour, Cinnamon *Please note that all measurements are approximate Prepare the Filling Peel, core and slice the apples about a 1/4” thick, and place into a glass baking dish. If you live near wild life, save the peels to put out for the deer or birds. They will appreciate a sweet snack too, especially now that food is getting harder for them to find. The size of the baking dish determines how many apples are needed. An 8” x 8” baking dish will need about four apples. The baking dish should be about an inch or more full. Apple Crisp continued on page 26 18

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Dickensian continued from page 7 Dickensian continued from page 7 will never see the present.”Granted, I did not grow up with cudgel of Christmas hanging over my head. There are no corresponding holidays in the Muslim tradition I grew up in with the Pagan beliefs I follow now. The down side of that lack of assimilation is that almost no information about the Pagan beliefs of pre-Islamic Arab society has been preserved.4 In fact. it was a policy of Islamic Leaders to systematically wipe out any evidence of native pagan practices in the nations they invaded. A glaring example of that can be seen in the attempted destruction of the smallest of the three great pyramids.5 It is important to realize that Christmas as we know it has more of a connection to secular

society than it does to any religious underpinnings. It is also important to realize that as bad as it was, the actions of the Christian missionaries in some ways preserved the ancient traditions – albeit in a new form. I am not saying that knowing our history is not important nor am I discounting the effects of the actions that took place so long ago. All I am saying is that in the spirit of the holiday, it is time to count blessings, and let go of the hurts of the past so we can move forward.

John P. McKay, John Buckler, Bennett D. Hill, A History of World Societies pg 214; Guy G. Stroumsa, Graham Stanton, Tolerance and Intolerance in early Judaism and Christianity, Tertullian on Idolatry and the Limits of Tolerance, pg 173-181 2

Simon Callow, Dickens’ Christmas: A Victorian Celebration, pg 146155. 3

Jonathan Porter Berkey, The Formation of Islam: Religion and Society in the Near East 600-1800 4

Joseph Whyte, Christ, Christianity and the Catholic Religion pg 58-63; Dorothy Morrison, Yule: A Celebration of Warmth and Light pg 20. 1

Karl Baedeker, Egypt: Lower Egypt with the Fayum and Peninsula of Sinai, Pg 339 5

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Dreaming continued from page 11

Be sure to write down any patterns or themes reoccurring in your dreams, or if you happen to notice something specific tends to occur, or certain visual symbols show up. Recognize the symbol and train yourself to use it as your own “wake up call”. Start paying close attention to anything repeating in dreams and start asking yourself “why”. Remember, a lot occurring in dreams is just reflections cast by our subconscious mind. If you ever have reoccurring nightmares or dreams that seem to make no real sense, try to translate the dreams’ meanings. There are many books which help reveal the meanings

™• December 2010 • Volume I

of certain symbols and images in dreams, but sometimes ideas are conflicting on what certain things mean. Use your common sense. If you are having nightmares over and over about snakes then ask yourself what Snake means to you. Is it a fear you have, or is it a symbol of healing? By taking apart the independent parts of nightmares, you also help remove and understand the reason for them. Often once you sort out the reason for reoccurring nightmares your mind will stop reminding you so often. In most cases, themes

will occur over and over until the message or problems are resolved. Once they are, the themes will usually die down and be replaced by other dreams. In the world of dreams there are no limits. Dreams can be powerful tools to help you learn and grow. Never be afraid to spin your own dream magick once in a while. You are the one who has control and who can learn to master your own dreaming world. It takes a bit of time and retraining to pay attention, but eventually things will be easier and easier to recall and focus on. Sweet dreams.

Going Live continued from page 8

bring the tree into your home for the best selection. Shopping early also allows time for the necessary acclimation from outdoor to indoor temperatures and time to get the hole dug for later planting. Some live Christmas trees are still sold balled and burlapped (B&B), with the ball of soil containing their root mass wrapped in burlap, but most are now grown in, or transplanted to containers - a much lighter option. When choosing a live tree for holiday décor, keep in mind its future as a landscape addition. Get information on the tree’s ultimate size and its cultural requirements, so you can make the best choice of which tree and for what area of your landscape. After that, look for a well shaped tree with a good amount of healthy roots and good needle retention. Some experts recommend purchasing an anti-desiccant spray as well, to help reduce loss of moisture through the needles when the tree is placed indoors. Once you get your evergreen

acquisition home, spend some time deciding where its exact future location in your landscape will be and preparing for its planting, before you begin the acclimation process. If you live in a climate where the soil is likely to be frozen, or the air temps just too dang chilly after the holiday, then dig the planting hole ahead of time! The hole should be dug twice as wide as the tree’s container and to a depth that will allow the top of the root ball to be flush with the ground. Covering the hole, and the soil removed from it, with a tarp can be very helpful in keeping it workable until planting time. In cooler climates, immediately introducing the tree to the warmer temperature of the house is strongly discouraged as it can trigger new growth that will be too tender to survive when the tree is moved outside. So, unless you live in a very temperate zone the tree will need to be acclimated. This is easily done by placing the tree in an unheated garage or enclosed porch for three to four days prior to moving

it into the house. The tree should be kept watered and the antidesiccant applied, if one is being used, during this transition time. This is also a good time to clean off dust, cobwebs and other debris. After acclimation, display the tree in a cooler area of your home; avoiding heat vents, fireplaces and bright, sunny windows. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet and turn off tree lights overnight to decrease moisture loss through the needles. Limit the tree’s stay indoors to 10-14 days, again to avoid triggering new growth. After its stay indoors is complete, the tree will need to be acclimated back to outdoor temperatures before planting. Move it back to the unheated porch or garage, but this time give it a two week stay to be sure it “goes back to sleep”. After two weeks, plant the tree in its predug hole; being sure to loosen the roots a bit then covering them with the reserved soil, tamping it down and watering well. Do not fertilize until new growth appears in the spring. ™• December 2010 • Volume I

by Faelin Wolf

urban fantasy focus. Aren, a young woman just married, lives in a world where natural magic existed everywhere once upon a time, according to the stories her grandparents tell, but has been bound by the bloodmages. Bloodmages take those with magical potential and turn them into more bloodmages—those who use magic for defense of the king’s interests, for harming others, and for changing nature. Shortly after Aren’s marriage, raiders attack her village, destroying all that she holds dear. At the same time, she discovers that she seems to have her own magic. Because of this magic, she feels when the bonds that have held the natural magic of her world at bay break. Suddenly, her world is unpredictable and the survivors in her village are attacked by magical creatures that had only existed for them in tales and legends and the raiders that swarm the country. Aren approaches a creature of legend and the servant of the mountain, the hob, Caefawn. They strike a deal that will help the village survive their new world and will help Aren control her magic. I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters of Aren and Caefawn interesting and the story woven between them to be surprising. The discrimination and prejudice that Aren experiences because she has natural magic feels familiar—the villagers don’t like her because she is different and they blame their troubles on her. I’m a little disappointed in the ending. Briggs seems to imply that there is another story to follow, but I do not see a sequel that has been published. But this is still an interesting story that is different than any that I’ve read before, certainly different from what I’ve been reading (and reviewing!) lately.

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Upcoming Themes & Deadlines January 2011 Issue theme: Resolutions Deadline: December 5th, 2010 February 2011 Issue theme: Earth Element Deadline: January 5th, 2011 March 2011 Issue theme: Magick Deadline: January 5th, 2011

™• December 2010 • Volume I

Labyrinths continued page13 17 Celtic Maidens continued fromfrom page

people moving past me ...not with me or against me but just brushing silently past me in their own path either on my left or right side. People were in the labyrinth with me, yet they were neither hindering nor interfering with my walk. I suddenly looked around and

at that point I received an epiphany. Yes, I was all by myself yet all I had to do was reach out to connect with another person. All my life I had felt alone and it was at this point the feeling vanished. I was not alone! And even more

™• December 2010 • Volume I

profound, was the feeling that I had never been alone! Every October I go back to spend a couple weeks in my home town with family and friends and attend Samhain Ritual with a local coven. About four years ago, a husband of one of the cousins was telling me about some “thing” in one of the parks. He asked me if I would like to go see it. Sounded interesting to me… always wanted to see a “thing”. We parked the car and took a short walk over to the edge of a small cliff. When I looked down there at the base of the cliff was the “thing”- a full sized replica of the Chartre labyrinth! The

local Garden Club had raised the required $25000 for a company to build interlocking foundation stones for the labyrinth. Now I am able to walk the labyrinth every year! Over the years I have often thought about that first walk in the labyrinth and how it changed my life.

I am very grateful for the experience because I know I was given a wonderful gift.

™• December 2010 • Volume I

Apple Crisp continued from page 19

Once enough apples have been sliced, add sugar and cinnamon to taste. I use about a 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon. Also add about a tablespoon of flour. The flour will absorb the moisture from the apples as it bakes to create the sauce. Mix the apples using hands or a spoon until evenly coated. Spread apple mixture evenly along the bottom of the baking dish. Prepare the Topping In a bowl mix topping ingredients using hands or a spoon: about 2 cups of quick oatmeal, 2 heaping serving spoons full of butter spread (or about 6 to 7 tablespoons softened salted stick butter), 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup brown sugar loosely packed, 2 tablespoons of flour, and about a teaspoon of cinnamon. The consistency should be clumpy and dough-like. Spread topping over apple mixture, packing slightly, making sure all the apples are covered. Bake at about 350° F for about 45 minutes or until topping browns. Serve with an optional scoop of vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream.

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™• December 2010 • Volume I

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™• December 2010 • Volume I