February 2009

THE GREENWOOD TREE MONTHLY
A PANTHEIST PUBLICATION PUBLISHED BY
ROBINS HOOD COMMUNITY CENTER
Publisher: Lone Wolf Editors: Brenda Sumner
Contributing Writers: Barbara Dreamkeeper, Odessa, Cyrena and Rev Bonnie, Cindi/Epona’bri, Raven Silverwing

Cincinnati Witches Ball Sold Out!

The Witches Ball was SOLD OUT this year!
We raised enough money for the Magic Mini Mall to accept more families, and hopefully we can find a building to warm people up this winter. If all goes right, Robin's Hood will be caring for the homeless in a brick-n-mortar sight again.

What an amazing night!

A gazillion thanks to;

Chakras - your first appearance on our stage was stellar.
David Wood - who came all the way from West Virginia to rock our stage!
Dante's Gypsy Circus - we love you
Tree of Life - Richard was more fun than I ever imagined him to be last night, and Patrick looks so happy & healthy - not to mention sexy as ***!
Dragon Bob - As always, a great job and an awesome costume!
Capt. Jack Sparrow (aka Larry Combs) - looking good as always
Our Vendors -
Gaia Works, Dave & Gail, came from Indianapolis
Midnight Muse
Gothic Edge
Crystal’s Glass
Gwynpriodas
Our Haven
Jason Ott
The Soul Stealers - Shawn & Chuck
who took all the amazing pictures you'll be seeing on our My Space in the next few days.
www.myspace. com/cinciwitches ball

Our Readers
Barbara & Ann, who came from Oklahoma
Lori Simon
Mickey
Rev Korinne
David Davis

Our Security Team - great job!

Our Food Team - Audrey, Tracy, Craig, TJ and Tony
And in case you all didn't know it, the Towers of Treats and all the chocolates were actually a prosperity spell we shared with the community. May you be increased by it.

Our Staff - All volunteers who work their @***es off all year to put this gig together. I love you all!

The Staff at The Southgate House

A very special thanks to DJ Roundboy!
Dude, you absolutely rock. Walking through the crowd, getting up on stage, the whole idea of rent-a-whip, you played great music, you were an absolute hoot of fun, and you never missed a beat! Everyone loved you and I hope you had half as much fun as you provided everyone else.

What an amazing night.
What huge fun.
What a terrific crowd!
This was the BEST Witches Ball ever!

I thank each and every single one of you who bought a ticket and came to party. You are all truly the Life of the "Ball" in every way.

See you next year for the
10th Annual Cincinnati Witches Ball!
We're going to be totally over the top with that one.

Thank You,
Thank You,
Thank You!
Rev. Bonnie
and the Board of Directors
Robin's Hood

Christmas Mini Mall a resounding success

Okay, ready?

85 families - total of 1704 gifts.
In one day - one very, long day.
AND A GAZILLION THANKS TO

Salena Murdoch, Welcome House


Our Ever Important and Exhausted Security Group
Craig, TJ, and Brent and Eddie
Who make sure everyone gets in and out of the building safely, and no kids get lost in the shuffle.

Our Wiped Out Kitchen Help
Audrey & Tracy
Who baked more cookies than the Keebler Elves
Our Totaled Paperwork Handlers
Cheryl, Tez, Carol & Diana
I hope your writing hands heal soon.

Ten tired elves
Kim, Manna, Jon, Cody, Buby, Eddie, Brandon, Devon, Stephon, and Gregg.
The Elves are teens ages 14-16, who donated their Saturday to work their butts off and help all these kids have this much fun for such a good cause.


February Edition

An amazing and pooped out hair stylist
Beth
Also thanks to Beth for all the donations she has given to this endeavor for the last several months.


HUGE HUGS AND THANKS
To The Covington Fire Department, for delivering Santa in Covington's Newest Fire Truck, which took it's first run to DELIVER SANTA! Lights and Sirens full out, children chasing them down the street.



A STANDING OVATION FOR

A completely wonderful and totally exhausted Santa, CHUCK and his personal and very attentive elves, Aubrey & Wesley, who rode on the fire truck and escorted Santa safely to his destination
as well as his personal photographer, Raven and his official cookie and candy cane assistant
Brenda.

Special Thanks to
Jill, Dragon Bob, and Dave & Gail (Gaia Works) for being among the biggest donors
As well as all the other people who generously donated all the wonderful things the kids so very much enjoyed shopping for and will happily give their families.

To Diana, for managing to wrangle all that pet food from her place of employment and a bunch of other stuff

To Mickey, who has a friend that gave until it hurts - thanks for taking care of all that.
And to Pam, who put up with all of us all day long.

CUDOS to Cody - who never once told us NO when we asked him, yet again, to run to yet another store for whatever else we needed.

CUDOS to Kim - who now knows what "herding cats" truly means.

CUDOS and a GAZILLION THANKS to the Bland family, for all the work they put into the signs and that wonderful sleigh, as well as the hours and hours of ball-busting work they all did (and always do) for us.

And deeply heartfelt thanks to all of the rest of you, who donated quietly and usually, go without all the fanfare due to you. If you donated, or bought a ticket or sold tickets to the Witches Ball, no matter what you did to help us with this labor of love, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. While you might not see your name in print, know that you are a huge part of how this all happens.

And now we get to start the actual holiday wrapping for the families.
Yep, that's right. We're not done, yet.

Brightest Blessings to all and to all a good night.
Rev Bonnie Campaniello
and the Merry Elves of
Robin's Hood


ADVERTISERS AND SPONSORS

ADVERTISERS:




SPONSORS

Senior Services of Northern Ky .has services for the elderly in top 8 counties...Meals on Wheels for those just out of hospital, Food Pantry for people with lack of food (non perishable items, such as canned goods), help finding senior housing, etc. 491-0522, all services are free
http://www.seniorservicesnky.org/Giving2.htm

Welcome House of Northern Kentucky
Welcome House, 205 West Pike St. Covington, KY 41011 | PH: 859-431-8717 FX: 859-431-6297 TTY: 866-648-6056
http://www.welcomehouseky.org/information.shtml


Chakras –
http://www.myspace.com/chakrassounds

Dante's Gypsy Circus
http://www.dantesgypsycircus.com


Dragon Bob

Puppeteer Extraordinaire and Musician


Capt. Jack Sparrow (aka Larry Combs)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=3039297



Gaia Works
http://www.gaiaworksinc.com/


Midnight Muse
http://www.midnight-muse.com/


Our Haven
http://www.ourhaven.info/


The Soul Stealers - Shawn & Chuck

Barbara & Ann, who came from Oklahoma

Lori Simon

Mickey

Rev Korinne

David Davis

The Staff at The Southgate House
http://www.southgatehouse.com

DJ Roundboy!
http://www.myspace.com/djroundboy


Jesikah Saetara
http://www.jesikahsaetara.com/links.html

Robins Hood Event Schedule
Pagan Pride Day Covington August 29th 2009
Back to school drive: Starts in July - until school starts
The Witches Ball Saturday, October 16th, 2009

Magic Mini Mall to be announced!
From L Corenett’s Pagan Calendar
1/4/08
SITES AT WHICH TO PUBLICIZE A FESTIVAL, FUND-RAISER OR CONCERT
AKA: Interesting and Generally Hip Places, sorted by neighborhood
(Places catering specifically to Pagans, among others, are marked %)
http://www.lcorncalen.com/STORES.htm


OPINION

"Does Paganism HAVE to Be Counterculture?"
By Christa Landon, MA, DMin.
March 4, 2007

In the midst of the worst winter storm of the year in St. Paul, MN, a week ago, 150 -175 Pagans gathered for a Pentagram Rights Ritual as part of the Pagan Veterans' Tombstone Initiative. Our first goal was to generate awareness of the VA stonewalling and rouse folks to take action. Our second goal was to begin a proactive effort to create a better public image for Paganism through an active public relations campaign.
The press committee did a great job. We had excellent and friendly press coverage, but one of the organizers was distressed that a reporter included the term "counterculture" to describe the crowd. He queried whether he would be right to complain about this characterization to the reporter, who hadn't mentioned that managers, lawyers, and other professionals had been present. All imaginable replies were made on the list, and a consensus appeared to develop that
so far, we've had good press, and we've begun a relationship with the press by which we can continue to educate and build bridges.
The discussion then moved on to WHY the reporter described us as counter culture. Our folks had been asked to bring no ritual tools and wear Minnesota cold weather street clothing rather than robes because we wanted to help the audience to identify with us as their neighbors as well as to show that our concerns were reasonable.
A few folks had worn cloaks -- in THAT snowstorm they were practical as an extra layer over a parka and not necessarily worn only by Pagans and RenFaire folks. Burlington Coat factory was selling heavy wool cloaks last time I was there. One person wore well-made self-designed clothing that suggested Mongolian national dress. Again, every imaginable opinion about that was represented on the list. I'm told that this man wears this as his regular winter clothing. To my eye, it didn't appear sinister; undeniably his clothing stood out. To some Minnesotans, "interesting," is polite code for "undesirably different." (I'm a recent immigrant to Minnesota, so "interesting" is still a positive descriptor to Me. ;^)
Future events are likely to be in warm weather when the range of appearance MIGHT be as broad as any masquerade. And the issues are serious, divisive, and painful in the Pagan community as they were in the Gay community in the early days of the Gay Pride movement.
Is it appropriate for UMPA to request participants to wearing Minnesota street clothes? This question isn't moot; the MayDay Parade on May 6 is attended by tens of thousands, and it's the obvious place for us to hold our next action. I don't know if the Twin Cities community can come to some agreement as to how we want to represent Paganism to the public before then. I hope we can be kind to one another and try to understand each other along the way.
But the really interesting issue was around to whether Paganism IS counterculture.
...
I ask this question as someone who was a hippy when I first began the Pagan Path in 1969 (AND I DO remember ;^) I can identify with all the sentiments expressed. To be human is to be a contradiction.

The big question is how to be true to the enduring values of Paganism, with all the love and wisdom we can muster.

As Paganism has always been polytheistic, at least in imagery, we shouldn't be surprised that there will be tension among the multiple values of Paganism, and that these values will resist be ranked into a hierarchy.

For example, there's the value the Romans called "concordia," the union of hearts, which I think we've all felt many times in UMPA. Concordia creates a safe circle in which we can discuss ideas and improve them because we can trust that we can love alike even when we don't think alike.

There's the value of play, which creates freely and joyfully, without fear or craving.

There's also the value of dignity, which attracts respect through its virtues. (I know that sounds like Christian language, but to ancient Pagan Romans, "virtue" means strength.)

And there's the value of diversity, which in itself isn't problematic. It's the struggle to maintain the illusion of uniformity, which creates heresy trials, holy wars, and lynch mobs.

I'll leave the enumeration of Pagan values to another thread.

My point is that Pagans have many values, some of which are in tension with each other, but together that tension creates a "big tent" with room for all of us. Monotheists have to put all their values in rank order. Polytheists don't have to.

However, we all know that words can carry clouds of connotations, meanings that don't necessarily show up in the dictionary, but which are carried in our minds nonetheless.

You can even define a subculture by the connotations they share.

Many people use the term "diversity" as code to mean the opportunity to display and revel in everything in us that has ever been rejected, neglected, or disvalued. And rejection, neglect, and disvaluing are wounds.

It's the wounds that aren't yet healed that are at the heart of our problem.

Jung called this stuff the Shadow. Some of the stuff in the Shadow is there because we adapted to sexism, homophobia, etc., by identifying with the "enemy" and repressing parts of ourselves. If we haven't done our own healing work, the stuff in our Shadow is likely to be erupting in cruel, abusive, and destructive forms. One of the ways the Shadow takes control is called projection -- seeing our own faults only in OTHER people. Matthew Shepherd was the best-known victim of that.

But of course we all know better than to let ourselves act out in violence. Unfortunately, when something is in the Shadow, we aren't even aware of it. And the acting out can be very subtle.

And I think that a strong desire to shock might be the SUBTLEST form of violence. Think of it as a social wound that tries to heal by wounding, as if emotional pain were a zero sum game.

Before I offend anyone, please understand that to share my thoughts with you, I'm going to illustrate with more extreme forms than I've seen in this Pagan community. As I said, with sane, responsible people, acting out is subtle because we have some self-knowledge and are committed to avoiding harming others.

To describe what I think is really going on, I'm going to borrow a concept from homeopathic medicine: Titration, which means dilution. If I remember correctly, 1 part in 10 is 1X, 1 part in 100 is 2X, 1 part in 1000 is 3X, etc. Please don't take me literally here -- I'm just using this as a model.

Obviously, we wouldn't deliberately hit or shoot or cut someone else, except when it was the only available self-defense. There's not only a moral boundary, but also a legal one.

So if physical violence is 100% of a poison, shock is maybe a 5X dilution.

Shunning is social exclusion, which was used as punishment by some of the "Plain People," and in other groups, which condemn PHYSICAL violence. When someone breaks the boundaries in such communities, they are not killed or jailed, but no one recognizes their existence. A great description of shunning can be found in the end of Jean Auel's CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR. In extreme cases, a person shunned by all simply gives up living, because humans evolved as social beings. It's not physically violent, but now we can measure physical effects of such intense social violence.

Tirade the dose again. We aren't living in isolated hamlets, so absolute shunning isn't possible. And large communities aren't likely to have the conformity required.

Is there any BNW (Big Name Witch) who hasn't been slandered? Though false accusations are actually illegal, it's expensive to prosecute. And if no one in our community ever passed on second hand accusations without evidence, there would never be any witch wars.

Dilute the dose again. Assaulting someone with word or gesture to generate fear or disgust is a low level type of social violence. Think of how violated you feel when what is holy to you is attacked by someone whom you have respected. (And think how hard it is to respect someone who has done so!) Think of how you feel when the person doing that has power or potential power over you. Social assaults, like verbal bullying in the schoolyard, can be very wounding, even if they don't cause DIRECT AND VISIBLE tissue damage or result in legal action. And verbal intimidation is often the prelude to physical assaults. Since Columbine, social scientists have been studying the complexities of verbal bullying.

Now let's tirade the dose yet again. Vague or implied threats can be intimidating without breaking the legal boundary.

Tirade the dose one last time, from verbal assault or threat to something much milder. One drop of malice in a gallon of sweet water. That's the mildest form of social assault: shock.

What's is really going on when we want to shock?

This is a very complex dynamic; many things are going on simultaneously.

First of all, Shock requires an audience -- one that is or can be alienated. It's not the same experience to do the "shocking thing" alone or with supportive people. Play is another thing; it doesn't need an alien audience.

At one level, we aren't we DARING the audience to be disgusted or frightened or angry?

Why do we want that reaction?

I think part of what motivates us to shock is to prove to ourselves that we are immune to the threat their disdain would represent. And when we have social support from our buddies who join us in "freaking out the mundanes," that might be one way to bring the rejected out of the Shadow to be healed and transformed. Of course, once the healing is done, the desire to shock evaporates.

We might even engage in a kind of implicit contract to sport with an audience, say at a Ren Faire, in which we can safely enact the fantasies of the Christian Right all in the spirit of fun.

But that happens AFTER the healing is done and we've become conscious of that part of our Shadow, healed and integrated it.

Teens engage in shocking adults to assert their independence, to reinforce their solidarity with others of their subculture, to express their anger, and to brave their own shame at their shortcomings, real, imagined, or (usually) exaggerated. Of course, modern teens AREN'T independent -- and in our culture adolescence can end and real independence begin at 18 in boot camp or at 28 defending a doctoral dissertation.

Teens, ESPECIALLY as they insist on their independence, AREN'T independent, they are COUNTERDEPENDENT.

Independence needn't insist; it isn't concerned with defining itself against some other, it's focused on individuation and creative work. Independence is the stage in which we learn who we are alone, what we can do and what we want.

Interdependence comes only after one has achieved independence and moves on to a committed partnership. The counter dependent adolescent and the independent adult keep their options open, which is why we have so many cases of serial monogamy.

So back to my observations of the current Pagan scene:

WARNING: GROSS OVERSIMPLIFICATION AHEAD, NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY:
If typical Fundamentalists are stuck -- so far as their faith goes -- in 9 year old literalism and simplistic judgment, I think that much of Pagan culture, and part of Unitarian Universalism culture too, is stuck in a kind of adolescence. Note that I speak of the CULTURES, rather than the individuals. This adolescence manifests in a lot of projection of parental roles on leaders, along with rebellion against an imagined authority that was never given in the first place. In both subcultures, there's appropriate vigilance about anything regimentation or imposition of a creed; but the fear of organization itself can sabotage the group's goals and values. As cultures, both Pagans are UUs are prone to idolize individualism to the point that community is rather mysterious, and sometimes more fantasy than lived experience.

Paganism is still more of a scene or movement than UUism is, because it has less experience, and has only begun to create its own institutions, much less trust in them.

The UUs have developed policies, which set boundaries on the professional staff, which is paid, and certainly has influence based on education and character. All of this depends on the fact that professional staffs are systematically limited in power and authority. UU clergy are staff elected by congregations and generally they don't have a vote on congregational matters, though the lay leadership consults them. Each UU congregation is autonomous, and members own the congregation. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations provides services which individual congregations can't generate alone, but is directed through votes by the congregations and has next to no power over congregations. Some congregations are fiercely aloof from the UUA and from other local UU congregations; others choose to be active participants and collaborators.

Pagan priests and priestesses have widely varying amounts of training, little systemic accountability, usually no pay, and sometimes unlimited authority and control within their groups. And many Pagan priests and priestesses assume a parental role in their covens, and then get hurt feelings when their "kids" mature enough to rebel, declare themselves HPs and create a new "tradition."

While UUs have made immense progress in this regard in the past generation, both UUs and Pagans have a tendency to define themselves negatively, that is, in how their ideas are different from Christianity or sometimes Judaism. This is especially true of UUs who are over 50 or who have been UU for less than 5 years. Defining oneself against the other and anxiety about potential parental authority are defining characteristics of a cultural adolescence. I note that some Pagans are now interested in disproving the Bible, just as the Humanist UUs were doing 40-100 years ago. The generation now being raised Fundamentalist will love that stuff 10-20 years from now.

But -- as the UUs have learned -- rebelling against orthodox Christianity isn't enough. For one thing, what's the next generation going to do? Leave their religious home like their folks?

Paganism isn't merely a reaction AGAINST Christianity's excesses and imbalances and lacks. Yes, there was a long campaign to destroy and distort Paganism. But its classical literary and artistic remains and traditional survivals around the world have reawakened a post-Christian world. You and I are part of this new Renaissance, which offers hope for healing the alienation between Nature and God, Woman and Man, Mind and Body, and maybe even Technology and the Ecosystem.

After adolescent counter dependence, comes young adult independence, and finally adult interdependence.

When our long-term goals are sacrificed to the desire to shock, we're functioning like adolescents, and there's a bit of that in all of us. Beltane comes EVERY year.

And it is Beautiful.

And Holy.

And essential to Wholeness.

Thank the Gods for the adolescent zest that survives in all of us, the fire in the blood that helps us to get past the inherited habits of thought, which dominate childhood.

But let us not as a movement be captured by that stage.

We can't all be teens and young adults all our lives. And our movement won't be fertile if it is so enamored of Beltane that the other seasons -- and concerns -- aren't also honored.

But if it were Beltane all year, there would be no harvest.

The other seasons each have their own beauty -- even if commercial culture doesn't value them so much.

Doesn't Paganism include paying our respects to ALL of the seasons?

Isn't THAT a way to be counterculture?


If you have an opinion that you would like to voice Please, e-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com

SPELL OF THE MONTH

A Candle to the Fae
By Bry FairRaven

To be done on Full Moon, light a light blue or silver candle and say:

"A candle for the folk of Faerie,
An honor on this full moon night.
Come and play a dance merry,
and bring with thee the sight.
What I ask will thee show?
Without rhyme or spell?
When I peak into the flame
Will thee the future tell?"

Ask a question if you wish and then look at the candle flame and notice
its shape, any shadows it casts on the walls or any images or feelings.
This will be your response from the fae.

By Bry FairRaven

Seren shines acha 'r awr chan 'n yn cwrdd

http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Tylwyth- Teg/

IF YOU HAVE A SPELL YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH E-MAIL IT TO THE greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com


Is Lucifer Jesus
Discussion on line.
This is a rather long discussion and may have to take a few months to enter the whole discussion. The TITLE IS:
IS LUCIFER JESUS
Last night at coven, Bonnie spoke about having to deal with mis-guided Christians. We all have had an assortment of conversations with them. Part of the discussion last night was being able to talk with Christians in an intelligent way, knowing something about their creeds, and how they might misunderstand paganism. In light of last night I copied the following from a series of on-line sites.

Is Lucifer … Jesus?


(1) Just about everybody knows the word "Lucifer" as another name for Satan. The word "Lucifer" is found one time in the King James Bible.
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

(2) But what about the NIV (New International Version)? The word "Lucifer" is clean, bald-headed gone and now this creature is identified as the "morning star". Lucifer is the "morning star" in the NIV.
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

(3) REFERENCES TO JESUS as "THE MORNING STAR” So we know that in the NIV the "morning star" is a negative, evil figure. Right? He was fallen from heaven. He was cast down to the earth.
Can we find the "morning star" anywhere else in the NIV? Yes! The following passages in the NIV show the "morning star" as Jesus Christ! But the NIV just called the fallen creature of Isaiah 14:12 "morning star". Lucifer AND Jesus are ONE in the NIV! Lord have mercy, Jesus! Help me, Lord.
NIV: Revelation 22:16,
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you [1] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
NIV: 2 Peter 1:19,
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
NIV: Revelation 2:28--
I will also give him the morning star.

============ ========= ========= ========
In Revelation, Jesus referred to himself as the bright and morning star (Rev 22:16). In 1263 Pope Clement V commissioned the Franciscan monk, Roger Bacon, to investigate apparent problems arising from this translation. Bacon discovered papers by Jerome (whose Latin translations become the only authorized one) whereby, upon Jerome's deathbed, he recanted the Latin Vulgate translation due to errors caused by his extreme haste. Jerome particularly singled out the Isaian translations. Bacon's report that the term/name Lucifer refered to that of the Messiah and not the devil, which earned Bacon the threat of incarceration by the Church until he (Bacon) recanted.
============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Are Jesus and Lucifer one and the same or are they just alike?
Answer
None of the above, although some cults believe Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.
Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. Lucifer is a fallen angel. Lucifer would like you to think he's equal to God, though.
Answer
Isaiah 14:12
Lucifer, son of the morning." This is the only verse in the bible that mentions Lucifer. Although most Christians consider Lucifer to be Satan (the devil), there is little biblical justification for doing so. In this verse "Lucifer" refers to the king of Babylon (Nebuchadrezzar?) and Lucifer (the light bearer) is also called the "son of the morning" or morning star. The only other person that is referred to in that way is Jesus (Rev.22: 16). Does this mean that Lucifer is Jesus?
Answer
A couple things that might shed light. The only translation that names Satan is Lucifer is the King James Version, and that was simply an error i.e. mistranslation. Also Satan in the text is called "Morning Star," and Jesus "Bright and Morning Star," a small hair to split but something to consider none the less. Also in the context of Isaiah it is abundantly clear that we are talking about the King of Babylon in colorful language, not taking a crash course on,” Who is Satan?" "Who is Satan?" is not within the scope of Isaiah.

I think, perhaps a fruitful approach would be to provide a chronology of the development of the character, Satan and its relation (and corruption) of Lucifer which was a designation added to the names of various Roman deities and also a Roman deity in his own right. The name translates Day Star Son of the Dawn and most assuredly in the OT refers however anachronistically to the King of Babylon. A lot of this stuff gets lost in the various translations (especially the Vulgate and KJV).

It is helpful, for instance, to note that prior to the Exile, Satan was always depicted as acting on behalf of God testing man. After the Exile, his character is colored by cross-cultural exchange with the Medo-Persians who introduced the concepts of Messiah, Millenial Kingdom and divine duality. Ormazd was their all-good God. Ahriman was his all-evil counterpart. Ahriman's character was transferred to Satan.

The serpent has his own interesting history. He appears in association with Athirat (Asherah) among the tales of Canaanite and Ugaritic religious and mythological texts. She is known alternatively at Chawas or Hawas which translates Eve. She is associated with the Tree of Life and the Serpent well before the Biblical tale was written. The serpent almost assuredly later appears as Ti-yam-at (or Tiamat), the female serpent of Babylonian mythology, BUT originally, in Canaan, Yam or Yom (see middle syllable above) was a male God cast into the Sea by Hadad (Baal) in a great struggle. In time Yom evolves and is conflated with the chief god, El, and becomes known by the Jews as Yahweh-Elohim. In various communities in ancient Israel, Yahweh is said to have had a wife. In some places, the wife is Asherah. In other places, she is Anat.

See the Qadash Kinahnu site for lots more info.


Michael
Kelevh Qadesh




HERBS TO LIVE BY
By Barbara Dreamkeeper

DISCLAIMER

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEB SITE IS NOT INTENDED TO PRESCRIBE OR DIAGNOSE IN ANY WAY, AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. PLEASE READ THE PRODUCT WARNINGS CAREFULLY BEFORE ORDERING! SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE STARTING A DIET OR USING ANY MEDICINAL HERBAL PRODUCTS


SCULLCAP
(Scutellaria Laterflora)

Part Used: The Herb
Properties: Nervine, antipyrectic, antispasmodic, sedative and tonic

Functions and Health Benefits:

Skullcap was used by the Cherokee tribe as an emmenagogue and was used
historically as an anticonvulsant. Chinese physicians use Asian Skullcap as a
tranquilizer and sedative as well as to treat convulsions. It was also considered
a cure for rabies by some physicians.

Research done in Europe has proven the benefits of Skullcap as a tranquilizer.
A study has also shown that it increases levels of good cholesterol and may
suggest it as a heart disease and stroke preventative.

It may treat a variety of conditions including pain, anxiety, high blood pressure
and epilepsy. It is well known for its ability to calm the nerves and help with the
nervous system conditions. In addition, it has been used to treat fatigue,
digestion, coughs and headaches.

Skullcap contains calcium, which acts as a natural painkiller, calms the nervous
system, increases resistance to infections and decreases acidity levels to
promote a balance in the body. It also contains Potassium, Magnesium,
Vitamin C and E as well as iron and zinc.


Herbal Teachings:

1. When steeping herbs, be sure to use a covered container to keep the volatile
oils in the tea. Otherwise, they will escape into the room. In the case of sage
this wouldn’t be too bad.

2. Bee Stings: Take a good pinch of tobacco, moisten it then apply to sting
after removing the stinger. The tobacco draws out the poison.

3. Lavender oil is very soothing for insect bites; it is also good for a diabetic’s
dry skin. It discourages nasty biting bugs. In addition, it helps repel fleas on
our four legged friends.
Disclaimer: the Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated these statements. Any
information obtained is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please
consult a physician before using any medication.

http://www.geocitie s.com/dreamkeepe r57/Regalia. html

IF YOU HAVE AN HERB YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH E-MAIL IT TO THE greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com


DIVINATION CORNER

OUIJA & TALKING BOARDS
Myth & Mystery of Spirit Communication
(C) Copyright 2003 by Troy Taylor. All Rights Reserved
Since the beginning of recorded time, man has claimed to be able to
communicate with the spirit world. However, it would not be until the heyday of
the Spiritualist movement that he would begin claiming to do so as an everyday
occurrence. That particular movement was founded by two young girls, Kate and
Maggie Fox, who established a way to communicate with a ghost. They used a
series of knocks and raps that answered �yes� and �no� and eventually assigned a
code for letters of the alphabet. In this way, they were able to spell out longer
and more detailed messages.
As Spiritualism grew in popularity, those with an interest began to establish
what were called �home circles�, small groups of friends and family members
who would gather around and attempt to communicate with spirits. They
experimented with the knocking and rapping sounds and later with Table Tilting,
which was accessible to everyone and no professional mediums were needed. The
knockings and rapping’s of the early movement continued to spread in other
directions as ordinary people began experimenting with their own skills as
mediums. Soon, the tiresome and time-consuming method of knocking and tipping
tables began to fall out of fashion and so mediums began a new form of contact
called �automatic writing�. While practiced almost solely by spirit mediums, it
still became very popular at séances as a direct line to the spirit world.
Automatic writing was defined as writing that was done while the medium was
under the control of the spirits. It was believed these ghosts would guide the
mediums hand and spell out messages for the sitters who were present. Most
likely (ignoring cases of outright fraud), automatic writing actually consisted of
material that was gathered in the unconscious mind of the medium and then put
to paper as a message from the dead. However it may have worked, it soon
replaced the slower methods of communication and soon mediums claimed to
receive more complex messages from the beyond.
Obviously, many questions remain as to the authenticity of automatic writing,
although in some rare cases, the messages received were eerily precise. Just
like with the other facets of spirit communication still to come, a number of
mysteries remain unsolved.
HISTORY OF THE OUIJA BOARD
While automatic writing was being embraced by mediums, those who satisfied
their curiosity about the spirit world in the "home circles" were also searching
for a more efficient way to reach the other side than by rapping on tables.
In 1853, a French Spiritualist named M. Planchette (according
the to the stories anyway -- it should be noted that
"planchette" in French translates to "little plank", making this
story a little dubious) invented a device that could do much
more than tap on the table. The �planchette� was a small,
heart-shaped table with pencils attached to its legs. Those who
used it claimed that it operated by spirit force and ghosts
were able to write out messages from beyond. The invention
was often used by the mediums as a more elaborate form of
automatic writing, but it really did not hold wide appeal for the
general public.
However, a short time later, another invention would come
along that could be used by everyone. No experience was
required and no real psychic skills were needed. This new
device would revolutionize the Spiritualist movement and have
an impact that still resounds today. The Ouija board was born.
Shortly after the planchette came to America, a cabinet and
coffin maker from Maryland named E.C. Reiche created a new
method of communicating with the dead. He devised a wooden
lap tray with the letters of the alphabet arranged in two lines
across the center of the board. Below these letters, he placed
the numbers 1-10 and the words YES and NO in each lower
corner of the board. He used the planchette with his board but
removed the pencil tips and placed wooden pegs on the bottom
of it. In this way, the planchette was free to move about the
board.
It was always believed that Reiche named his board the "Ouija"
because the name represented the French and German words
for �yes� (oui and ja) but this was not the case. He named it
that because he believed that the word "Ouija" was actually
Egyptian for luck. Needless to say, it's not, but since he
claimed to receive the word from a spirit on the board, the
name stuck.
But Reiche was more interested in spirits than making money
and he sold the invention to his friend, Charles Kennard, who
soon founded the Kennard Novelty Co. with borrowed money
and began producing the first commercial Ouija boards around
1886. The first patent for a "talking board" was filed on May
28, 1890 and listed Charles Kennard and William H. A. Maupin,
both of Baltimore, as the assignees.
Shortly after the company started, the shop manager, William
Fuld, decided to go into business for himself. He forced
Kennard out of the business and changed the name to the Ouija
Novelty Co. He began producing the "Fuld's Talking Board" in
record numbers and became a successful businessman. He was
a member of the Baltimore General Assembly in later life and
remained in control of the company for the next 35 years.
Finally, in 1927, during a brief slump in sales, Fuld strangely
took his own life. He climbed to the top of a Baltimore building
and jumped to his death. Other versions of the story have it
that Fold died accidentally while supervising the replacement
of a flagpole on top of the building. A support post that he was
holding onto gave way and he plunged to his death. This is likely
the more accurate version of events, although Fuld committing
suicide gave the Ouija an eerie taint over the years.
The Ouija Board was anything but a curse to Fuld's company though. It became
the most successful talking board manufacturer of all time, selling millions of
boards as well as other toys and games. Fuld had created a new industry with
the Ouija board, which he claimed to have invented himself. He started the
apocryphal tales of the naming of the board (using oui and ja) and claimed many
of his successful sales plans came from the board itself.
His heirs maintained the company until 1966, when they sold out to Parker
Brothers. This company, also known for their success with toys and especially
board games, produced not only reproductions of the Fuld board but also made a
deluxe wooden edition of the board for a time. They hold all of the patents and
trademarks to the board today and they still produce it in large numbers. In
spite of the fact that it is now sold in toy stores, it remains a near duplicate
(albeit a more cheaply made one) of the Spiritualist board that was sold many
years ago.
USING A OUIJA BOARD
The Ouija Board is perhaps the most controversial method of spirit
communication, mostly because it can be used by anyone and requires no special
powers to navigate. This may be why most psychics discourage the use of the
board. It enables the average person to produce �medium-like� effects without
a psychic actually being present.
Regardless, the Ouija has been both condemned and praised in
equal amounts as a way to communicate with the spirits and as a
direct link to the dark side. Many people ask if these boards
are dangerous, but I think that this depends on the person. In
all honestly, I can’t offer many clear-cut observations on the
power of the Ouija because my own experimentations with it
have been uneven (at best). When asked, I usually just tell
people that they probably shouldn’t mess with it unless they are
prepared to handle whatever consequences may come up.
However, I can offer instructions on the best way to use the
board (should you wish to try it) and you can decide for
yourself if you are actually talking to spirits or if you are
merely taking part in an interesting experiment in psychic
phenomena.
The Ouija should be used by at least two persons at a time and can be placed on
the laps of the sitters, or on a small table within easy reach of everyone. The
sitters place their fingers lightly on the edges of the planchette, being careful
not to push down too hard. If you should ever take part in a Ouija session (or
witness one) where you can hear the sound of the planchette scraping on the
board, or it seems to be unusually loud as it moves, there is probably something
fishy afoot. What this means is that someone is accidentally (or purposely)
guiding the pointer and the session should be stopped immediately. Any
information received from the board is bound to be false.
Once the session begins, it is recommended that the sitters invite a spirit to
come through and speak to them. The sitters are advised to add that they wish
to communicate with a �willing� spirit. The reason for this is that it’s been
suggested that negative spirits will try to come through and confuse the sitters.
For this reason, it’s best to state up front what you are looking for from the
session.
Then, the questions should be asked and repeated in a slow and deliberate
manner. A single person should ask at a time, and only one question, to
avoid confusion. The answers to the questions will be theoretically spelled out
using the planchette.
THE STIGMA OF THE OUIJA BOARD
But how does it work? Many feel that the answers provided by the board are
simply the unconscious movements made by the people touching the pointer. If
this is true, then the Ouija is operated by nothing more than the power of
suggestion. But how can we explain the accounts of the Ouija providing
information that none of the sitters could have possibly have known?
On that note, it has been suggested that the Ouija is actually powered by the
psychic portions of the human mind, spelling out answers to questions either by
precognition, telepathy or unknowing communication with spirits. By the latter,
the board would be a mystical tool that is guided by the sitter’s unconscious
movements, which are in turn manipulated by the spirits. On the other side of
the same coin, many researchers use the Ouija as a way to experiment with the
effects of psycho kinesis, noting the movement of the planchette as it is
propelled by the human mind.
Some people believe that it isn’t that complicated though. They believe that the
planchette is actually moved by the direct force of spirits, guiding the hands of
the sitters. The Spiritualists believed this, as do some ghost hunters today,
feeling that the Ouija is an important tool in spirit contact, both good and bad.
And this brings us to the reputation of the Ouija, which has become pretty bad
over the years, especially with parents and religious groups. They often cite the
overwrought (and usually unsubstantiated) cases of so-called �spirit possession�
that occur after teenagers use the Ouija. Apparently, malevolent forces,
masquerading as good spirits, possess children and impressionable adults and
cause emotional damage (and even suicide) among those who dare to use the
board. (cue the spooky music!)
But how common is this really? Not nearly as common (and I have yet to see an
authentic case) as our society watchdogs would have you think. However, I will
say that I think it is possible for people to become dependent upon, or even
obsessed with, the Ouija. Of course, with that in mind, it’s possible for people to
become dependent on or obsessed with anything, like religion for instance.
In the end, I am not going to say that it’s impossible for spirits to come through
the Ouija board and cause problems for the users. There is really no way that I
(or anyone else) can make a definitive statement on that. At this point, there
are simply too many variables as to how the board even works, let alone if it is a
doorway to the other side.
But what do you think as a well-rounded reader? Is the Ouija a harmless toy or a
way to way to communicate with the dead? You will have to judge that one for
yourself for now, but I do want to leave you with a couple of thoughts.
Frankly, I don’t believe that the Ouija is as harmful as some would have you
believe. I don’t believe there is any inherent danger in its use, especially as it
does seem to be a way to test and perhaps even generate PK. However, I don’t
recommend that it be used by teenagers, overly emotional people or anyone not
equipped to handle what may occur as a result of the boards use. There are
many accounts of people using the Ouija and then discovering that �things begin
to happen�. Some of these experiences are alleged voices and the movement of
objects in their home. Those who believe the Ouija achieves spirit contact will
say that the person used the board unprotected and thus attracted �lower
entities�. It’s possible though (as mentioned) that the Ouija induces PK effects
and that the lingering activity has more to do with the generation of psychic
activity that ghosts. For this reason though, people who are overly excited
should avoid the use of the board.
It’s possible (and this is my own personal belief) that the Ouija works as a sort
of �lightning rod� for activity. The forced concentration of the sitters incites a
PK effect that possibly creates a directed energy, or perhaps even opens a
sort-of �doorway� to the other side. I have seen the Ouija used as a way to stir
up activity in a haunted location as the energies of the sitters are directed
toward a common purpose.
So, yes, I do believe that the Ouija is a paranormal tool. However, I don’t think
that it works as a legitimate tool to be used in ghost investigations -- or that it
should be used to try and "conjure up spirits". There is more to fear from the
human mind than from anything a Ouija Board might come into contact with.
OUIJA BOARD STORIES AND EVENTS
As mentioned already, many people have a fear of and are stigmatized by their
using a Ouija Board -- for both good purposes and bad. There seem to be many
unanswered questions as to whether or not talking boards are worthwhile
channels to the other side or merely sinister board games nut in spite of this,
there have been many stories and apocryphal tales that have come along over the
years to cement the Ouija's less than savory reputation. Here are a few of
them but remember that we make no claims as to the truth of the stories -- the
veracity of the tale is up to the reader to decide!
- One of the most mysterious looking buildings in Los Angeles is the famed
Bradbury Building. Over the years, a variety of Hollywood filmmakers have been
drawn to it and have shot films like DOA, Blade Runner and Seven here. Legend
has it that George Wyman consulted his dead brother using a Ouija Board about
it before he built it for Louis Bradbury in 1893. Wyman had little architectural
experience at the time and debated on whether or not to take on the
monumental task. His brother convinced him, through the board, that the
building would make him famous -- and it did.
- Arthur Henry Ward (better known as Sax Rohmer), the author of the famous
"Fun Manchu" adventure novels, was also a member of the Golden Dawn and
penned a number of occult books as well. According to his own account, he
started his lucrative writing career on advice gained through a Ouija board. He
asked how to best make a living as a writer and the board spelled out
"c-h-i-n-a-m- a-n". The novels that followed brought him fame and fortune and
franchise that is still popular today.
- A St. Louis housewife named Pearl Curran stunned the literary world in the
early 1900's by channeling a spirit through the Ouija Board and producing
thousands of pages and novels and poetry that allegedly came through a spirit
named Patience Worth. Click Here to Read the Complete Story
- Starting in 1919, author Stewart Edward White and his wife, Betty, spent 17
years studying Betty's medium ship with a group of entities that called
themselves the "Invisibles”. She made initial contact with them using a Ouija
board and then continued the communications through automatic writing. The
White’s later produced the Betty Book to chronicle the events in 1937.
- In 1933, Dorothea Turley and her 15 year-old daughter, Mattie, were
convicted of the murder their husband and father. On the witness stand, Mattie
stated how the Ouija board, which had been directed by her mother, had told
her that it was all right to kill her father so that her mother could marry
"cowboy". Mattie later killed him with a shotgun. The jury determined that the
crime had more to do with insurance money and Dorothea's lover than a Ouija
board and Dorothea went to prison and Mattie for reform school, where she
stayed until she was 21. Her mother was released on an appeal three years
after the original trial.
- In 1972, poet Jane Roberts founded the "channeling" movement when she had a
paranormal experience that she described as "feeling her consciousness leave
her body". She and her husband began experimenting with a Ouija Board and
made contact with a being known as "Seth". The result of this was several
popular books that were dictated by Seth himself, including Seth Speaks.
- According to legend (and boy, is this one questionable!) musician Alice Cooper
allegedly named his band (and himself?) after the spirit of a 17th century witch
with this name that he claimed to have contacted through a Ouija Board. He and
his band mates thought the name so cool that they decided it was the perfect
moniker for the group -- except for one hold out, who thought the name was
stupid. It should be noted that earlier names of the band had been the Earwigs,
the Spiders and Nazz, so perhaps "Alice Copper" was an improvement.
Regardless, this was the first story of the band name's origin and there have
been others since then. It's likely that they don't even remember what really
happened!
- In 1990 (or 1991) several students decided to try out a Ouija Board at a small
cemetery on the campus of Benedictine University in Chicago. One of the young
men who participated in the session allegedly became �possessed�. He started
screaming and howling uncontrollably and his companions were unable to calm him
down or to keep him from kicking, biting and flailing about. Campus police were
said to have assisted in getting the young man back to his room and he ended up
being taken to an area hospital, where he was sedated and treated. The story of
the incident was told, re-told and embellished around campus over the course of
the next few days and interesting elements began to be added to the tale. One
of the most popular was that the boy was taken to Benedictine Hall and locked in
a room all night, in hopes that he might tire himself out. When the door was
unlocked, he was sitting quietly in a chair and looking out a window that was
covered with swarming flies! Unfortunately, the real story was not so chilling or
exciting. According to reliable sources, the boy simply freaked himself out
during the Ouija session. The spooky setting and the excitable nature of the boy
combined for a disaster when one of his friends decided to play a prank and
make everyone think the ghost was close by. The young man became hysterical
and the events that followed were a result of his own overactive imagination.
Rather than the story of the �possessed� boy being a cautionary tale, Ouija
boards became even more popular on campus in the weeks that followed. Some
credited the boards with terrible powers, including one girl who blamed her
séance for a mysterious fire that started in her room on Neuzil Hall. She had
left her Ouija board sitting on her sofa when she went to dinner but was called
back to her room when the sofa somehow went up in flames. After the fire was
put out, no trace could be found of the Ouija Board!
http://www.prairieg hosts.com/ ouija.html
IF YOU HAVE A DIVINATION TECHNICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUBLISH E-MAIL IT TO THE greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com

The Appreciation Section
For those we need to say Thanks to:

Lady Abigail from Pagans of My Space. This lady has managed to get 10,606 Pagans together on one page and be civil to each other.

Oberon Zell-Ravenheart He has overcome the take overs of his church, Plus he has retained his position as head of his church against all odds.

If you want to make an appreciation made to the public to anyone e-mail us at
greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com

THE ORACLE
When will the Troops start coming home from the Police Action?

You work your tools or Psychic ability, and e-mail your answer to us at GreenWoodTreeMonthly@yahoo.com

Full Moon Names
From the web site
http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonnames.htm

February March
n Colonial American
Trappers Moon Fish Moon
Chinese
Budding Moon Sleeping Moon

American Indian (Cherokee)

Bony Moon Windy Moon

American Indian (Choctaw)

Little Famine Moon Big Famine Moon


American Indian (Dakotah Sioux)

Moon of the Raccoon, Moon When Eyes Are Sore From Bright Snow
Moon When Trees Pop

Celtic

Moon of Ice Moon of Winds

English Medieval

Storm Moon Chaste Moon

Neo Pagan

Snow Moon Death Moon


Classifieds

Barbara Dreamkeeper's beadworks are all one of a kind. I don’t repeat patterns.
Most work is Custom so I will take orders.
Ask for more pic's contact Dreamkeeper57@yahoo.com or phone 918 504-8057

$125.00 Dollars for mirror pouch with the mirror bead patterns vary
$35.00 Dollars for beaded key chains each pattern is different
$200.00 Dollars for beaded Awl Cases each one is a one of a kind.
$30.00 Dollars for totem/Rune pouch
$39.00 Dollars for Lakota Style wedding earrings
$500.00 Dollars for Fringed Pipe and Tobacco bags pipe bag
is beaded on both sides each pipe bag is one of a kind.
I do custom orders
$100.00 Dollars for the peyote stitch necklace this one is sold but all beaded necklace are different.



Due to the success of the Magic Mini Mall this past Christmas there is a need for specific items which are in dire need for the Mini Mall

Winter Coats, Battery operated watches (cheap), Broken chains or necklaces,
The list will grow as the year goes on. Each month the list will be added to.
If you have these items PLEASE e-mail info to the following audrey_b_45205@yahoo.com

If you have anything to Sell, Give away, Barter, Trade, or if you Want an item E-mail us at greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com


Our Haven has nothing scheduled until Beltain http://www.ourhaven.info



Recipes


1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
16 ounces broccoli, frozen
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
2 teaspoons butter, melted

Stir soup, milk, mustard, cheese in a bowl, add
broccoli stir to coat broccoli. Place in a 1 1/2
quart casserole dish; mix breadcrumbs with melted
butter sprinkle over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Variations add:
rice
macaroni n cheese
1 can mixed vegetables, drained
chicken
tuna
ham



Pagan Holidays
From the web site http://www.paganspath.com/magik/sabbats.htm

2. Imbolg February 1st or 2nd
· American tradition ~ Candlemas
· Caledoni traditions ~ Imbolgc Brigantia
· Celtic traditions ~ Imbolg
· Mexican Craft ~ Candelaria
· Strega traditions ~ Lupercus
· Teutonic traditions ~ Disting

Imbolg is the first of the Spring holidays that ring in the festivals for fertility. Imbolg is the celebration of things yet to be born for the New Year. Those things that are hidden under winters last snows. It is a time for preparation. Look over your supplies for the coming year and make a list of what you might need. It is a time to take stock.

For this festival, lavender and white candles are burned to represent the divine (white) rebirth and preparation for ones spirituality (the lavender).

Poet’s Corner
By Natasha Perry

I am just a simple woman with a great love for children and I am very blessed to be chosen to be the aunt to two beautiful children selena who is 3 and michael who is only a year old. I am very glad to be part of their life, but my role has changed from aunt to fill in mother, because their mother I pray will one day wake up and see that her own emotional hell that she has put herself in has destroyed her children. I have taken care of these beautiful children for the last 9 months and can no longer see it in my heart to look at them as only their aunt, I have so much love for these babies, and it is in my heart that I know that a mother is not only who gives birth but women who can be a constant person in their lives...

A REAL MOTHER
THIS BLOG MAY ANGER SOME. BUT ITS MINE DEAL WITH IT...


A MOMMY MY NOT BE THE ONE TO GIVE BIRTH...
SHE MAY BE THE ONE WHO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WALKS AWAY
SHE CAN TELL YOU THE BABIES FIRST WORD,
FAVORITE MEAL. AND HOW MANY TIMES THE BABY POOPS.
SHE CAN TELL YOU HOW THEY SLEEP,
HOW THEY WAKE UP, AND HOW THEIR LIL SMILE BRIGHTENS THEIR DAY.
SHE'D GIVE ANYTHING TO CALM THEIR FEARS;
SHE WOULD EVEN STARVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ATE WELL.
MOMMY'S DON'T RUN OUT ON A CHILD,
THEY STICK THROUGH IT ALL.
IF ITS 3 AM AND THE BABY IS CRYING
YOUR RIGHT SHE'S WALKING THE FLOOR BABY CRADDLED IN HER ARMS, NO MATTER HOW EARLY SHE HAS TO BE UP...
IF THE BABY CRIES SHE'S THE FIRST TO HOLD THEM TIGHT...
SHE CAN HEAR THEIR LAUGH IN A CROWED PLACE AND SHE'S NOT THINKIN HOW CUTE I WANDER WHAT THEIR DOIN.
SHE KNOWS CUZ SHE'S THEIR LAUGHIN WITH THEM.

NATASHAPERRY


Featured Author

Michael Calabrese

Here is a portion of his book A dragon Rises

How this year has changed the world! Erwyllian thought. And indeed the world was a different place. One year since Cernunnos, the great God of the forest showed himself. One year since the Gods had spoken. With war in the land, hardship and terrible loss, hope still ran strong and deep in the people. Now, that hope was standing, in the form of a bony old man before the altar.
Half a year ago, he'd stood here, on this hill by Caer yn Arvon's walls and called the Gods to make a king. The place still vibrated with the power of that night. Adding this night's magic would only increase the feeling of power on the hill. It was a time of magic and faith; a time to bend yet another knot in the cord that ties men and the world together.
Even Christians knew the power this night brought to men's hearts. Hallow's Eve or All Soul's Night they called it - anything, as long as the word "Samhain" did not cross clean Christian lips. Erwyllian smiled at their folly. Did they understand? No. They never would and never could! To abandon hope in this life and pray for redemption in the next was their way. All is lost except for the way of the Christ! And woe and death to those who did not bend their knee before the cross! The Christians would see power this night and know it for the truth. Everyone would!
Erwyllian opened his eyes and looked to the west. The last glow of red left the sky, leaving the stars to shine brightly over the land. Gathered around him at the summit were Maelgwn and his court, Teg and Nisien. The year had changed Teg, as it had changed the world. He was now a grown warrior, sure of his arms, his heart and mind.
The lord bard stood further down the hillside, surrounded by a knot of foster boys who had come of age and were given their torcs. One was talented in his schooling and would be sent up the hill to walk the holly branch around fire-circle and lay it over the flame at the altar to mark the passing of another year.
It was a solemn night; a night for contemplation of the year's deeds, its rights and its wrongs. It was a time when men felt the need to make amends and set things straight, as they should be.
Tonight The Veil was thin and the passage eased into the world beyond. The dead rode the dark wind, mixing with the spirits of all things that live and so - with time, all things that die. It was a night of completion, the circle of life, the cycle of time, all come home to roost, to rest through winter's darkness, to wait for rebirth in the light of spring.
For all that, Erwyllian found himself hard pressed not to laugh out loud. The joy of it! The boundless, exploding surge of living filled his arms and legs with a strength beyond youth. His thin, bony hands stretched up into the great arch of the sky. Flesh mattered so little now. In time he would be done with it and his withered frame would be set under stones that had known him in life.
He opened himself to the power that drove the world and was filled to bursting. Up through his feet, rushing into his lungs, pulsing in his ears and veins, the elementals beat with a life of their own. It came so easily to him now. Once, this was a labor, a forging of will and discipline. Now, he crossed The Veil as a man rises to his wife in the morning. A lifetime of dreams couldn't have made this night happen!
Feeling the power build, his head swirling over the world, he reached his mind out to the Priestess, knowing in his heart that she was there for him - waiting, suspecting nothing of what this night would bring. His mind's eye sought her out, ignoring the long miles to the White Well.
He smiled at finding her, already kneeling at her pool. Erwyllian looked into her face. The softness of youth was gone. The face of her spirit showed the mark of a woman of magic - a magic that took its payment from all who followed the path.
Moiwrynn knelt back, seating herself on her heels. Her hair, washed and un-plaited hung free, covering her small frame to the waist. She felt something pull at her inside - a gentle tug deep in her chest. She gazed into the pool, and focused immediately as the Sight came, as if the Path had been cleared. Did such things happen? She guessed it a Sending and not her Sight alone that called her to look into the water. She began to breathe deeply, feeling a growing power with each heave of her ribs.
It seemed she knelt there for hours, drawing in the force of the living world. Tonight, even that felt different. She felt a part of something greater. As a river was built of many streams, so Moiwrynn added her gifts to the greater flow sweeping the world.
She gazed into the water, finding the greater darkness there on this darkest of nights. In the seas which girdled the world, the ocean tides began to shift. In the flat mirror of the pool she saw broken abbey walls below the Tor. Why did the Goddess show her things already done? She puzzled. But this was what the Great Mother wanted her to see, so she would look. Huge roots twisted and turned through large broken stones which once made the abbey. Her eye ran along a thick root and she followed it into the earth, this time without fear.
No Old Ones waited for her below. There was no light, but she needed none. She seemed suspended, hanging in the air in the middle of a great cavern. Above her head the great roots twined through the earth. Here and there she saw squares of stone jutting down in the darkness, showing where their ends were dug into the ground above her. She knew them to be the tall stone crosses carved by the Christians and realized that she must be seeing many miles in distance as her eye passed each stone. Beside each stone root of the dead god, a thick living root twined the earth. It was then that she felt the rush of power and understanding came to her.
Erwyllian's image came into view. His face and body shifting before her eyes, from ancient man to vigorous youth, middle-aged, to a man in prime, then a babe, and back to the wizened old man again. He looked a blend of all that Erwyllian was now, and had been, fading back and forth. She'd only to look upon him, and she knew what was to be done. She opened her power to his and felt the Goddess' pleasure as she yielded to the greater strength standing before her.
Within her mind, Moiwrynn saw both the deep caverns under ground and the world above - a world grown silent, the winds quieted, the seas still as her glassy pool, flat and smooth.
Erwyllian raised his arms, straining as if he lifted a huge stone. She tensed and pushed deep inside herself. Her lips curled and sweat poured from her body in the cool air. She gasped and strained like a woman in labor, pushing, squeezing with all of her might.

United States


You can get his book from Author House at http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~22590.aspx

This is a must read book from a fellow Pagan in our local area.

If you have written a book let us know and it will be featured in this e-paper e-mail us at
greenwoodtreemonthly@yahoo.com



MOON PHASES
Site Location: http://www.stardate.org/nightsky/moon/

February 15th