Issue 17

Contents:
Welcome Monthly Correspondence This Months Horoscopes And Chinese Astrology Events for December Crafts and Rituals Paths and Disciplines Meditation Knowledge and Principals The Green Witch Humor Poetry Featured Stories Personal Journeys Witches Rant Around the News Verse Persephone's Movie Review UnderWorld's Music Box The Cheshire mad book reviews Recipes Pagan UnderWorld Member Articles Pagan UnderWorld Featured Member
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Page:
4 5 28 52 65 86 102 104 111 114 117 121 124 128 131 133 136 139 141 149 159

Shadow Heart & Soul of the Black Rose Member articles Shadow Heart & Soul of the Black Rose Groups Urban and folk legends Truth Portal Featured Sites Metal shows Events

161 167 169 174 183 193

Lifestyles

Forever Gothic Tool Queens Fetish Balls and Events Fetish Article's LGBT Disclaimer and Complaint dept

204 208 211 216 218

Welcome everyone and happy Holidays to all of you. It is a time of sharing and giving and building up our hopes and dreams for a new year that is upon us. We would like to thank each of you for being a part of our lives each month and letting us be a part of yours. So our hearts and wishes go out to all of our family and loved ones and all of our readers. May this holiday season and new year be filled with blessings and good tidings and just maybe a little naughty fun as well...

Love and Light; Sweet Dark Angel, Oak, Persephone, & Andrew

by: Sweet Dark Angel & Andrew

Moon Phases
First Quarter 12/02/2011 Full Moon 12/10/2011

Last Quarter 12/18/2011 New Moon 12/24/2011

Yule 12/21-12/23 Correspondence of Yule:

The Plants and Herbs of Yule: African Violet, Allspice, Anise, Any nut, Bay, Cabbage, Carrot, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Coconut, Coriander, Elderflower, Frankincense, Ginger, Grape, Holly, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Liquorice, Mistletoe, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Onion, Papyrus, Pepper, Potato, Rice, Rosemary, Rue, Shallot, Sloe, Star Anise, Sugar cane, Thistle, Almond, Apple, Beech, Cedar, Chestnut, Cypress, Elder, Fig, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Maple, Oak, Orange, Palm-date, Pine, Walnut, Yew, Yucca.

Associated Colors Green, Red, White. Stones and metals associated with Yule: Amber, Amethyst, Aventurine, Azurite, Coal, Coral, Cross Stone, Diamond, Emerald, Marble, Moonstone, Mother of Pearl, Petrified Wood, Pumice, Quartz, Ruby, Salt, Sapphire, Stalagmite, Tiger's Eye, Tourmaline-Black, Turquoise. Brass, Gold, Lodestone, Mercury, Meteorite, Silver, Steel.

Incense and oils: Anise, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Cypress, Frankincense, Ginger, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Myrrh, Orange, Pepper, Pine. Animals and mythical beasts: Phoenix,Trolls,Mermecolion,Poinsettia Gods and Goddess Associated with Yule: Ameratasu (Japan), Baldur (Norse), Bona Dea (Roman), Cailleach Bheur (Celtic), Demeter (Greek), Dionysus (Greek), Frau Holle (Norse), Frigga (Norse), Holly King (British/Celtic), Horus (Egyptian), La Befana (Italian), Lord of Misrule (British), Mithras (Roman), Odin (Norse), Saturn (Roman), Spider Woman (Hopi) Symbols for Yule: Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus. Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples). Activities of Yule: Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule

December Correspondences

Nature Spirits: Snow Faeries; Storm Faeries & Winter Tree Faeries Herbs: Holly; English Ivy; Fir & Mistletoe Colors: Blood Red; White & Black Flowers: Holly; Poinsettia & Christmas Cactus Scents: Violet; Patchouli; Rose Geranium; Frankincense; Myrrh & Lilac Stones: Aerpentine; Jacinth & Peridot Trees: Pine; Fir & Holly Animals: Mouse; Deer; Horse & Bear Birds: Rook; Robin & Snowy Owl

Deities: Hathor; Hecate; Neith; Athene; Minerva; Ixchel; Osiris; Norns & The Fates Power Flow: Death & Rebirth; Darkness; Personal Alchemy; Spiritual Paths. Reach out to friends, family and those in need.

The Angel of December - Anael (AKA: Hanael) -

We may be in the grip of Winter but life is still all around us and therefore it is a time to give thanks for what has been achieved and to share our successes with others.

Archangel Cassiel- Angelic & Planetary Correspondences

Name of Planet under rulership Planet Name in Hebrew Hebrew Meaning Teaching Angel Correct Pronunciation Celestial Title Tradition - Angel identified in: Hebrew Name: Hebrew Letter Egyptian Name Station Ruler of Guardian Angel of Planet Greek/Roman God Metal Day Hours of Day Ruled Month Ruled Saturn. ShBThAI. from ShBTh meaning sabbat day or to stop/rest/cease. Cassiel. Also Know as: Captiel, Kafziel (Hebrew). cas-A-EL.. Father of Time. Jewish, Kabbalistic and Christian Traditions. Kafziel. Tau. Nepthys and Horus. Archangel and Teaching Angel. The Seventh Heaven - Araboth. Aralim. Cybelle - Persephone. Lead. (caution Lead is poisonous). Saturday. (Saturday) 1st and 8th hours of the day. 3rd and 10th hours of the night. Not identified.

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Cycle of Results Orbit Fixed Stars (Capricorn) Days to Avoid working with Archangel Cassiel: Gems: Ritual Candle Colours: Planetary Colours Harran / Hermetics Colour Complimentary Colour Colour of Pentacles of Saturn Astral Colour's - Capricorn Symbol Tarot Card Planetary Number Talisman Size/Sides Numbers of Saturn Magical Note Direction Ruled: Degree Angelic Thoughtform

3 Months. 4 years. Vega and Antinous. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday. Garnet, Jet, Lodestone, Onyx, Sapphire, Turquoise and Salt. Black, Brown or Grey. Black, Dark Greens, Indigo or Maroon . Pitch Black White Black. Red and Brown. A Straight Line. The Universe XXI (The World XXI). 8 3 3, 7 D North. 1:2 Bitter Orange (small sour orange)

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Fruits Tree Flowers/Herbs

Dried Fruit, Plum, Pomegranate, and Tomato Fruit. Alder, Beech, Cypress, All Evergreen (slow growers), Oak and Yew. Aconite, Ash, Belladonna, Coltsfoot, Deadly Nightshade.Hellebore, Henbane, Houseleek, Ivy, Hemlock, Hemp and Wolfsbane. Earth Worms. Crow, Crocodile, Raven. Left Leg, Excretory System . Northern River. Black Ink - White Paper. Malachim Agiel. Agiel. Zazel. Aratron (or Arathron) Guland alias Nabam.

Insect Animal Anatomy Governed River Ruled Letter Composition Magical Script Planetary Spirit Planetary Intelligence Planetary Demon Olympic Spirit Demon of the Day (Saturday

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Incense, Oils, Perfumes and Inks: General Incense: Incense 1: Myrrh, Cypress, Rue, Vervain, Storax, Elm, Yew, Musk, Civet, Asafetida, Henbane, Sulphur, Civet, Galbanum and Scammony. Incense 2: Civet, Musk, Alum and Myrrh Incense 3: Pepperwort, Black Poppy Seed. Sulphur, Scammony and Asafetida. Talismanic Incense: Alum, Asafetida, Scammony, Ash, Cypress and Black Hellebore. Perfumes: Ingredients: Asafetida, Cannabis, Cypress, Norway Spruce, Pansy, Hyacinth, Sulphur, Thyme, Yew, Henbane and Mandrake. Magical Oils: Anointing Oil: Base Oil: Cypress, Mimosa, Myrrh and Patchouli. Essential Oil: Cypress. Magical Ink: Lampblack (soot), Waters (Spring), Asafetida and Gum Arabic.

Related Astrological Correspondences: Capricorn: Astrological Table Astrological Dates Capricorn. 22nd December - January 19th.

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Element Mode Astrological Plant/Herbs

Earth. Cardinal. Belladonna, Comfrey, Hellebore, Hemlock, , Onyx, Nightshade, Snowdrop, Sorrel, Thistle, Rue, Indian Hemp, Orris Root and Valerian. Yew, Spruce. (caution Lead is poisonous). Malachite 0r Black Onyx. Black Garnet, Jet, Obsidian,Opal,Tourmaline or Turquoise. Gray, Dark Brown, Indigo and Black. 3, 8 and 15. Saturday. Winter. The Devil (XV). Dog and Goat. Owl and Falcon. Goat, Donkey, Ass. Hair, Knees, Bones, Skin and Genitals. Skeletal. Incense: Musk.

Tree Metal Power Gem(s Gems

Colour Number Day Season Tarot Card Animal Bird Symbolic Creature Anatomy Governed Body System

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Scents/Oils Geomantic Number Geomantic Rules God/Goddesses Age Governed

Frankincense, Carnation, Comfrey, Thistle.. 6. Zazel. Set, Pan, Hermes, Vesta and Bacchus. 42 to 49 years of age.

Rituals performed when the Moon is in capricorn will include those which involve business organization, career development and personal ambition. Healing rituals would cover the skin, teeth and bones.

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Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the major Arcana, the Devil is not really "Satan" at all, but Pan the half-goat nature god and/or Dionysus. These are gods of pleasure and abandon, of wild behavior and unbridled desires. With Capricorn as its ruling sign, this is a card about ambitions; it is also synonymous with temptation and addiction. On the flip side, however, the card can be a warning to someone who is too restrained, someone who never allows themselves to get passionate or messy or wild - or ambitious. This, too, is a form of enslavement. As a person, the Devil can stand for a man of money or erotic power, aggressive, controlling, or just persuasive. This is not to say a bad man, but certainly a powerful man who is hard to resist. The important thing is to remind the Querent that any chain is freely worn. In most cases, you are enslaved only because you allow it.

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Related Elemental Correspondences: Earth: Element Ruled by Earth Guardian Angel Earth Angel Earth Ruler Earth King Direction Time Ruled Zodiac Winds Sense Qualities Hour of Day Governed Season Governed Magical Phrase Magical Tool Tattivic Symbol Tattivic Season: Symbolic Creatures Elemental Symbol Elemental Spirits Elemental Colour Taurus Archangel Uriel. ( Some traditions indicate as: Gabriel) Phorlakh Kerub. Ghob (in some traditions East). Midnight. Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. Boreas and Ophion Touch. Cold, Moist, Passive and Heavy. Midnight. Winter Tacere, to keep silent. Pentacle and Crystals. Yellow Square (Prithivi). December 23rd to March 21st. Sphinx and Bull. Shekel of Gold. Gnomes. Brown, Black and Green.

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Gem Incense Animal Tree Elemental Plants Elemental Tarot - Major Arcana Elemental Tarot - Minor Arcana Talismanic Elemental Angel Geomantic Number Sefira Number Body System Ruled Positive Aspects Negative Aspects Astrological Personalities

Rock Crystal and Salt. Storax. Cow, Bull or Stag. Oak. Red Poopy and Thrift. Universe (XXI). Pentacles. Vioel. 10. 3. Sex Organs and Bones. Reliable, Stable, Punctual and Persevering. Materialistic, Greedy, Unprogressive and Sensualist. People born under the signs of Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo are thought to have dominant earth personalities. Earth personalities tend to be calm, practical, pragmatic, responsible and cautious; however, they can also be stubborn, intolerable and inflexible.

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Related Kabbalistic Correspondences: Angelic Order Order of Angels Chief of Angels Archangel: Aralim Thrones. Zabkiel. Cassiel - Tzaphkiel (The Angel of Spiritual Strife against Evil.) or ( Beholder or Eye of God) Elohim Vision of Sorrow Mature Woman on a Throne. Sephira 3 Binah. Understanding. Bina Female Earth. Shabbathai (Saturn.) Black. 3. Cup or Chalice. Materialism. Silence. Inertia. Vision of Sorrow.

Biblical Names of God Spiritual Experience Sefirothic Form Sefira/Sephira Sephira Meaning Pronunciation Sub Creature Element Planet Colour Number Symbol Illusion Virtue Vice Spiritual Experience

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Tarot Animals Plants Gem Perfume

The for threes and Queens. Female, Bee. Cypress, Opium Poppy and Ivy. Star Sapphire and Pearl. Myrrh and Civit.

Related Deities: Set, Cronos, Balder. Miscellaneous Information: Cassiel, (Hebrew: Kafziel) "Speed of God" is the latin name of an angel in post-biblical Judeo-Christian mythology, particularly that of the Cabbala. Unlike many other angels, Cassiel is known for simply watching the events of the cosmos unfold with little interference. He is the angel of solitude and tears, and is said to preside over the deaths of kings. In the MAGUS, he has been shown to have a beard and riding a dragon in some works. The Archangel Cassiel appears as an old man, as depicted in many Tarot Cards (The Hermit) , Holding a Lantern, Staff and may also hold an hourglass. One of the Angel of Tears with Sandalphon. Often referred to as one of three angels of Saturday along with Uriel and Machatan. The Guardian of the threshold between this world and the next. Ruler of the Seventh Heaven. Is the holiest of all the heavens as it houses the Throne of Glory which is attended by the Seven Planetary Archangels.

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Angelic Signature:

Signs & Symbols Related - Archangel Cassiel and Saturn:

Artist Unknown Cassiel, (Hebrew: Kafziel) is the latin name of an angel in post-biblical Judeo-Christian mythology, particularly that of the Cabbala. Unlike many other angels, Cassiel is known for simply watching the events of the cosmos unfold with little interference. He is the angel of solitude and tears, and is said to preside over the deaths of kings. In the MAGUS, he has been shown to have a beard and riding a dragon in some works. Archangel Cassiel : Appears as an old man, as depicted in many Tarot Cards (The Hermit) , Holding a Lantern, Staff and may also hold an hourglass. (The Pillars of Tubal-Cain p256. - Nigel Jackson & Michael Howard, Capall Bann Publishing. UK. 2003). Remember Angels are personal to you and tend to correspond to your mental image of them.

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The Tarot Card related to the Archangel Cassiel and the Planet Saturn is The Universe XXI (The World XXI) and the Devil (XV) The world of success differs for every person, but Tarot card No 21 signifies that the private world of the enquirer - his personal hopes and ambitions will be fulfilled and success will be reward his efforts. The Devil is called the Devil or the want of a better name. Temptation is a better description as it represents many of the evils that befall man. (The Prediction Book of The Tarot. - page 107 & 124 - Madeline Montalban. Javelin Books UK. 1986.)

Archangel Cassiel's symbol consists of a spear and dragon

The Kabbalistic sign for the Archangel Cassiel and the Planet Saturn.

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The Kabbalistic sign for the planet Saturn, indicated above right, has had a number of variations. To the left are some of the alternative symbols used for the planet in the past.

. Geomantic Symbol (Capricorn) Geomantic Symbol (Aquarius)

Hebrew Letter "Tau" for the Planet Saturn

Astrological Sign Capricorn The Character or Seal of Saturn

Astrological Sign Aquarius Saturn Talisman Table (Kamea)

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Alchemical symbol for Lead. metal of the planet Saturn.

The Archangel Governs: Magical Intentions: Home, houses, land and property. All old people, Karma, poverty astral knowledge, farming, examinations and esoteric knowledge. Saturn is the planet of karma, this day is an excellent time for spell work involving reincarnation, karmic lessons, the Mysteries, wisdom, and long-term projects. It is also a good time to being efforts that deal with the elderly, death, or the eradication of pests and disease. Spirit Communications, Meditation, Psychic Attack or Defense, Locating Lost Things and Missing Persons, Building, Life, Doctrine, Protection, Knowledge, Authority, Limitations, Boundaries, Time and Death. Rulership: Business, politics, property deals, agriculture, mining, archeology, building, morality, responsibility, protection from poisoning or conspiracy. astral plane, banks, binding, death, debts, discipline, history, institutions, karmic debts, knowledge, limitations, longevity, magical knowledge, obstacles, real estate, sacred wisdom, structures, time. Negative aspects: Oppression, Pain. Finger Correspondence: The middle finger symbolizes self-assurance , and some say sexual power, and is aligned to Saturn.

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Note: According to Peter de Abano, . that the first hour of the day, of every Country,and in every season whatsoever, is to be assigned to the Sun-rising, when he first appeareth arising in the horizon: and the first hour of the night is to be the thirteenth hour, from the first hour of the day .... According to occult law a day starts at daybreak, not at midnight.

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Farmers Almanac for December

Farmers Almanac-December
Skywatch.Earth's two nearest neighbors finally show dramatic improvement.In fading evening twilight,Venus stands 10 degrees up on the 1st but twice that height by the 31st.It's at the left of the Moon on the 26th.This is a start of a glorious apparition that will peak in late winter and spring.Mars finally rises before midnight and gains a half magnitude from 0.7 to a conspicuous 0.2,in Leo.Jupiter fades a bit but still dominates the night on the Aries-Pisces border.December 10th brings a total lunar eclipse just before dawn,visible from everywhere except eastern North America.A nearly full Moon washes out the usually reliable Gemini meteor shower on the 13th-14th.Winter begins with the solstice on the 22nd,at 12:30 a.m. Moon phases. First quarter.2nd at 4:52 Full Cold.10th at 9:36 Last quarter.17th at 9:48 New moon.24th at 1:06 Meteor showers. Name:Geminids. Peak.Dec 13th.

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Range.Dec 7th-17th. Rate.120. Point of origin.Northeast. Best viewing.All night. Associated comet.None. Moon phase.Gibbous,up most night. Comment.One of the finest showers. Name.Ursid. Peak.Dec 22nd. Range.Dec 17th-26th. Rate.10. Point of origin.North. Best viewing.Predawn. Associated comet.Tuttle. Moon phase.Nearly New,rises at dawn. Comment.Occasional outburst to 50/hr. Full Moon ritual.Maintain your principles and convictions.Extend your warmth to friends and family,and welcome new beginnings. Birthstones. If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow,ice and mirth. Place on your hand a Turquoise blue, Success will bless what'er you do.

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You'll be in a position to forgo your habitual reticence and reserve: delicate subjects won't scare you any longer, and you'll dare to ask for what is owed to you. Your professional situation will be consolidated. Your intestines will give you concerns, probably because of a tapeworm. Your love relationships will be very passionate. Beware of excessive financial risks; if you want to carry out a large-scale stock market operation, seek the advice of a specialist, for you won't have the total support of the stars.

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In an unusual aggressive manner, you will cope with all problems which will present themselves. If your parents are aged, tensions may arise between you and them; show understanding. It will be folly on the love front: you'll know moments of intense passion but with the risk of your being more demanding than usual. If you're now undergoing an antibiotic treatment, it's recommended that you eat many yogurts so as to restore the intestinal flora partially destroyed by this treatment; prefer plain yogurts to sweetened ones.

This time, you'll perhaps receive a promotion or distinction, and new proposals may also be made to you. The stars will incite you to get rid of certain useless scruples which impede your progress. Problems of teeth: pains, bleeding's, caries.

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Control your budget. No more short romances! Without half-measures, you'll turn to long-lasting love; and you'll be surprised to realize that that kind of love is near you, at your arm's reach!

Don't let your imagination dwell on melancholic subjects. At work, opportunities will be more rare and you'll have to redouble efforts in order to obtain correct results. Your liver and your respiratory system will be threatened; take good fresh air and refrain from all excesses; avoid stimulants such as tobacco and coffee. Some small annoyances are to be foreseen, especially in everyday life: nothing will go as fast as you wish; and so your entourage may have to endure your bad humor!

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It will please you to flirt around, but don't count too much on the indulgence of your mate. In your work, your efforts won't be vain and people of good counsel will come to help you. There'll be reason to fear a conflict or a contentious affair. You'll enjoy excellent nervous balance. The stars will force you to recognize that your prodigality has led you into a dead end; but they'll at the same time give you the means to get out of it; profit by it quickly!

You'll devote more of your time to your family and will make the happiness of your dear ones. Refrain from ruinous buying's and postpone decisions of investments. Love may fall on you like a powerful avalanche, whether you're single or not. Do exercise and look to a better diet. Seek the company of people who share your interests as well as your ideal; the

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stars will help you to find them; and then you can form a small circle whose activity will be profitable.

Refrain from long business or pleasure trips; but small trips could be profitable in many respects. Beware of small accidents of all kinds; in order to diminish your nervousness, seek open air and do mild gymnastics. Success in your work and in society, but remain very modest. You'll be happy in love and will have the wild desire to depose the whole world at the feet of the beloved one; this will be reciprocal.

You'll be more enterprising than ever; however, you'll know how to be diplomatic if the situation demands it. Don't continue any longer to live above your means. Your life as a couple will be agitated, but these strong emotions won't displease you at all. Eat yogurts, especially if you're undergoing an antibiotic treatment.

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News from a friend. You'll certainly feel a need of evasion; but is it really the moment to suspend your job? On account of the positive signs since recently, remain at your post.

You'll lack realism and objectivity, which may cause you disillusions and disappointments. Try to make some savings so as to be able to cope with unexpected events in all serenity. Good surprises don't happen only to others: they'll happen to you in the sentimental field. Risks of fever. Disputes, clashes with your family circle may be in the program of this month; it's true that you'll take a perverse pleasure in pouring oil on the fire; why don't you want to be more reasonable?

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Your great professional projects will begin to take form; don't hurry, at the risk of making everything capsize. You'll be vulnerable to microbic contamination; take all necessary precautions. If you aren't a believer, don't feel ashamed at all to avow your skepticism before the multiplicity of religions. A sentimental problem will worry you, preventing you from being well at ease; there's nothing really serious, however, and you can easily control the situation and recover your serenity.

It will be in your interest to keep a close watch on your figure, otherwise you won't be immune to cellulitis or overweight. Refrain from too ambitious undertakings which might end with dire failure. Don't be too demanding toward your close ones. It would be a pity not to seek to exploit all the resources that are within you. Luck with money will smile to you; and if you've had an unhappy experience,

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a bankruptcy for instance, you'll get out of it more daring and stronger than before.

Your relationships with your entourage will be difficult because of your touchiness. Beware of microbes, to which you'll become very vulnerable. On the financial front, a loss is possible; it won't really be the moment to indulge in superfluous expenses. Hard conflicts between parents and children seem inevitable. Single people, affective loneliness will seem to you more unbearable than ever; nevertheless, don't lose hope: you'll have great chances to meet your soul mate this time.

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Don't let the numerous hitches and obstructions get the better of your coolness. At work, you won't have much elbow room and will suffer delays because of other people's fault. Beware of infections: strengthen your natural defenses with products rich in vitamin C. You'll be well inspired in your various transactions. With this Moon phase, the confirmed bachelors and spinsters will appear as a

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species on the way to extinction! You'll make an encounter this time and, if you're still without someone, will at once give up your dear liberty.

In spite of many annoyances, continue your advance with the certainty that you can control your destiny. Quiet love life, without clashes but without passion either. You'll need to relax; laughter and sleep will be the most efficient ways to do it. Try to maintain affectionate relationships with your parents. Try to involve yourself more in your work; luck will smile to you; don't miss the flow of changes, they'll be very beneficial to you.

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If you work you'll be entitled to a promotion, or if you're unemployed you'll be promised a good job. A favorable climate for friendly and social relations; you'll have some very happy reunions. You'll be lucky with money, but you'll also have a certain tendency to believe that money alone can procure happiness. Be careful in love! You'll howl so loud that, if your partner doesn't have a trainer's heart, you're very likely to see him flee!

The stars will accentuate your taste for conquest and your need for novelty; so don't hesitate to embark on difficult projects. An excellent month to start a diet program and to lose weight. Workwise, you'll be very much motivated to succeed.

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This time, it'll be necessary to put your common sense aside and only to listen to your heart. The natives who want to change their residence will see their search crowned with success; but they should take into account the disadvantages as much as the advantages of the place of their choice.

You'll have problems of insomnia or difficulties of relaxing; a cure of vitamins would be good. Your work can give you some concerns, but your spouse and your children will whole-heartedly support you. Learn how to take life as it comes, while refusing to ruminate over your problems and envy others. You'll hardly be inclined to faithfulness; love affairs will be interested and could take place in the professional milieu; all this won't be without danger and could have unpredictable consequences.

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You'll enter this month in a very good physical and moral shape; try not to rush too much. Tense climate in your home; watch out so as not to spark off a crisis. If you're a lonely heart, you're going to meet the person of your dreams. If your neighbor or a relation looks for a quarrel, turn your back. This astral climate will enable you to settle important problems concerning the family's belongings or a delicate succession matter; however, remain vigilant, and even mistrustful.

A climate that will encourage household disagreements; keep your self-control. Try to preserve affectionate and continued relationships with your old parents.

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You'll tend to be very demanding at work as well as at home. You health will be excellent, except if you give in to food excesses or if you smoke too much. Be careful in the choice of your relations and your friendships; with your originality you'll please and attract people, but the interest that people will show you won't always be sincere and without ulterior

This time the wheel of Fortune will turn to your favor; you'll be successful in everything! You'll feel more apt to communicate with others and very motivated to carry out your professional and social ambitions. Concern yourself more with your family, particularly with your children. You can count on your long-time friends. You'll tend to indulge in some food excesses; it'll be very harmful as your digestive system will be weakened; take better care of your life hygiene, do exercises and sports.

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You'll encounter difficulties in your work; avoid entering in an open conflict with your colleagues. It would be time to go and get a tartar removal by your dentist. Be on your guards so as not to succumb to the appeals of various sects. You'll have the means to increase the material comfort of your home; don't hesitate. The relations with your brothers and sisters can temporarily take on more importance; seize this favorable situation to try to settle possible problems with them that have remained unresolved.

Even though you find yourself confronted with numerous problems, don't complain, keep silent in order to favor good reflection. You'll seek by all means to satisfy your need for emotional security; if you're

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single, you'll make a promising encounter by the middle of this month. Give more of yourself to your friends. Don't tire yourself too much; and if you feel that your defenses are falling, without delay adopt a good diet, with enough vitamins and trace elements.

Your relationships with your entourage will often be conflictual; be cooler. If you don't resist your current tendency to act in an irregular way, you won't achieve very much. Your relations with your heart's elected one will be founded on confidence and complicity. The solitary ones will put an end to their loneliness. A swelling of the glands is to be feared, and you'll be very vulnerable to tonsillitis; treat your ills correctly, not by scorning them.

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You'll refuse fatalism and will be determined to twist the neck of the events; your resolute attitude will bring you luck. It would be desirable to fast one week-end a month in order to eliminate the toxins that are blocking your liver. In business, think about protecting your rear, don't put all your eggs in the same basket. Risks of family quarrels. Your appeal for help will be heeded by a friend who won't hesitate to take risks in order to get you out of a jam; no matter what people can think, true wonderful friendship does exist in this world.

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Cards used: Thoth (Used with the Deviant Moon Spread)

Queen of Wands The Inquirer: Present Day - self and all circumstances in your present position in life Inverted Meaning of card: A woman who is stupid, obstinate, revengeful, domineering, quick to take offense without good cause.

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5 of Cups

Past Influences - events from the past that shape the present Neither Divine or Inverted Meaning of card: End of pleasure, Disturbance when least expected Misfortune. Disappointment in love. Unkindness from friends. Treachery. Ill will. Sadness. Vain regret.

4 of Swords Subconscious Influences - Underlying forces in the inquirer's mind, dreams, subconscious thoughts Neither Divine or Inverted Meaning of card: Rest from sorrow. Peace after war. relaxation of anxiety. Refuge from mental chaos. Recovery from sickness. Change for the better after struggle. Authority in the intellectual world. Convention. Establishment of dogma.

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7 of Wands Secret Desires and Wishes - Hopes and dreams not yet realized Divine Card meaning: Energy feels itself at last gasp. Struggles. Possible victory. Obstacles and difficulties yet courage to meet them. Victory in small things.

3 of Wands Hidden Influences - Unseen powers that affect the inquirer Inverted Card Meaning: Conceit

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9 of wands Events to Come - Future happenings in the inquirer's destiny Neither Divine or Inverted Cards meaning: Power. Health. Success after opposition and strife. Tremendous force. Recovery from sickness. Victory after apprehension and fear. Illustrates the aphorism that "change is stability"

4 of Cups Surrounding Environment - Elements of home, work, community, etc. Neither Divine or Inverted Card meaning: Weakness. abandonment to desire. Pleasure mixed with anxiety. Blended success and pleasure possibly approaching their end. Injustice. The seeds of decay in the fruits of pleasure.

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6 of Wands Influence of Others - how those you meet or deal with affect your persona Inverted Card meaning: Insolence and pride

The Magus Spiritual Forces - Effects of spiritual influence over your question Inverted Card meanings: Learning or intelligence interfering with the matter at hand.

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Prince of Wands Final Outcome - Culmination of Events - result/answer to question Inverted Card meaning: Proud, intolerant, cruel, and prejudiced youth who may be a coward.

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Its toy run season again. on dec 4th 2011

Its toy run season again. come on down and hangout with us on dec 4th at the clubhouse It's one of the most world recognized event and one that is so important and gives kids a christmas present that they will remember for a life time so please support this annual event and stop by and bring a toy or several and help bring a smile to a kids face and make there christmas wishes come true....

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Pearl Harbor Day 12/7/2011

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on December 7, is to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On August 23, 1994, United States Congress, by Pub.L. 103-308, designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. It is a tradition to fly the Flag of the United States at half-staff until sunset in honor of dead patriots. Memorials Memorials have been built to remember the day and its events. The USS Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor is a marble memorial over the sunken battleship USS Arizona, which was dedicated in 1962. The memorial remembers all military personnel who were killed in the Pearl Harbor attack. Another memorial is that of the USS Utah, a battleship that was attacked and sunk in the attack. A memorial to honor the crew of the USS Utah was dedicated on the northwest shore of Ford Island, near the ship's wreck, in 1972. The ship was added to the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. In 1991, which marked the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Congress established the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal. This is also known as the Pearl Harbor Survivor's medal and can be awarded to any veteran of the United States military who were present in or around Pearl Harbor during the attack. The medal can be awarded to civilians, who were killed or injured in the attack.

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Yule 12/21/2011

"The Goddess gives birth to a son, the God, at Yule. This is in no way an adaptation of Christianity. The Winter Solstice has long been viewed as a time of divine births. Mithras was said to have been born at this time. The Christians simply adopted it for their use in 273 CE (current era)." (from "Wicca - A guide for the Solitary Practicioner" by Scott Cunningham) "This is the time of death and rebirth of the Sun God. The days are shortest, the Sun is at its lowest point. The Full Moon after Yule is considered to be the most powerful of the whole year. This ritual is a light festival, with as many candles as possible on or near the altar in welcome of the Sun Child." (From "Celtic Magic" by DJ Conway)

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Also known as: Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan, Feill Fionnain, Yuletide, Midwinter, Sun Return, and Fionn's Day Date: Winter Solstice, usually December 21st Symbols: Evergreens, Wreath, Yule Log, Holly, Spinning Wheel Colors: Red, Green, and White Deities: Newborn Gods; Triple Goddess; Virgin Goddesses Herbs: Holly, mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, and pine. Offerings can be apples, oranges, nutmegs, lemons, pinecones, oak leaves, and/or whole cinnamon sticks.

Ancient Meaning: Yule is a time of the greatest darkness and is the shortest day of the year. Earlier peoples noticed such phenomena and supplicated the forces of nature to lengthen the days and shorten the nights. Wiccan's sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a fitting finale to their efforts. How Ancient Pagans Celebrated: After the Norse brought Yule into prominence it nearly replaced Samhain as the date of the New Year, and many modern Celtic covens still honor Yule this way. The Nordic-influenced Celts celebrated Yule with many of the trappings we associate with modern Christmas observances; decorated evergreen trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, feasting, and dancing. They also believed that on this night the Holly King, as the God of the waning year, would battle the Oak King, the God of the waxing year, and lose. Often Yule coven rituals have members reenact this fight." from "Celtic Myth and Magick" by Edain McCoy

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Modern Meaning: Yule is the remnant of early rituals celebrated to hurry the end of winter and the bounty of spring, when food was once again readily available. To contemporary Wiccan's it is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth. How Modern Pagans Celebrate: Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the Sun is reborn as well, Thus, the Wicca light fires or candles to welcome the Sun's returning light. The Goddess, slumbering through the winter of Her labor, rests after Her delivery.

Chanukah 12/21/2011

Hanukkah (Hebrew: , Tiberian: nukkh, usually spelled pronounced [anuka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

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Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: , "attendant" or "sexton") and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves is forbidden.

Mishna and Talmud The story of Hanukkah, along with its laws and customs, is entirely missing from the Mishna apart from several passing references (Bikkurim 1:6, Rosh HaShanah 1:3, Taanit 2:10, Megillah 3:4 and 3:6, Moed Katan 3:9, and Bava Kama 6:6). Rav Nissim Gaon postulates in his Hakdamah Le'mafteach Hatalmud that information on the holiday was so commonplace that the Mishna felt no need to explain it. Reuvein Margolies[6] suggests that as the Mishnah was redacted after the Bar Kochba revolt, its editors were reluctant to include explicit discussion of a holiday celebrating another relatively recent revolt against a foreign ruler, for fear of antagonizing the Romans. Hanukkah is described in the Talmud. The Gemara, in tractate Shabbat 21, focuses on Shabbat candles and moves to Hanukkah candles and says that after the forces of Antiochus IV had been driven from the Temple, the

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Maccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. They found only a single container that was still sealed by the High Priest, with enough oil to keep the menorah in the Temple lit for a single day. They used this, yet it burned for eight days (the time it took to have new oil pressed and made ready). The Talmud presents three options: 1. The law requires only one light each night per household, 2. A better practice is to light one light each night for each member of the household 3. The most preferred practice is to vary the number of lights each night. Except in times of danger, the lights were to be placed outside one's door, on the opposite side of the Mezuza, or in the window closest to the street. Rashi, in a note to Shabbat 21b, says their purpose is to publicize the miracle. Narrative of Josephus The ancient Jewish Historian Flavius Josephus narrates in his book Jewish Antiquities XII, how the victorious Judas Maccabbeus ordered lavish yearly eight-day festivities after rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem that had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Josephus does not say the festival was called Hannukkah but rather the "Festival of Lights": "Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of pleasures thereon; but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them by hymns and psalms. Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when, after a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of their worship, that they made it a

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law for their posterity, that they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple worship, for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival. Judas also rebuilt the walls round about the city, and reared towers of great height against the incursions of enemies, and set guards therein. He also fortified the city Bethsura, that it might serve as a citadel against any distresses that might come from our enemies." The story of Hanukkah is alluded to in the book of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees but Hanukkah is not specially mentioned; rather, a story similar in character, and obviously older in date, is the one alluded to in 2 Maccabees 1:18 et seq according to which the relighting of the altar fire by Nehemiah was due to a miracle which occurred on the 25th of Kislev, and which appears to be given as the reason for the selection of the same date for the rededication of the altar by Judah Maccabee. Another source is the Megillat Antiochus. This work (also known as "Megillat HaHasmonaim", "Megillat Hanukkah" or "Megillat Yevanit") is in both Aramaic and Hebrew; the Hebrew version is a literal translation from the Aramaic original. Recent scholarship dates it to somewhere between the 2nd and 5th Centuries, probably in the 2nd century, with the Hebrew dating to the 7th century. It was published for the first time in Mantua in 1557. Saadia Gaon, who translated it into Arabic in the 9th century, ascribed it to the Maccabees themselves, disputed by some, since it gives dates as so many years before the destruction of the second temple in 70 CE.[11] The Hebrew text with an English translation can be found in the Siddur of Philip Birnbaum. The Christian Bible refers to Jesus being at the Jerusalem Temple during "the feast of the dedication and it was winter" in John 10:22-23.

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Christmas

From all of us here we want to wish each and everyone of you A very merry Christmas, it is a time of given and sharing and being with the one we love, it is a time to be marry and even a little naughty.... My this christmas be filled with happiness and love and from all of us Merry Christmas Love and light; Sweet Dark Angel, Oak, Persephone and Andrew

Kwanzaa 12/26/2011

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles[1] and culminates in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 19661967.

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Principles and symbols Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Sabathe seven principles of blackness), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together. Ujamaa (family): The belief in family and general communal understanding. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols are placed, corn and other crops, a candle holder with seven candles, called a kinara, a communal cup for pouring libations, gifts, a poster of the seven principles, and a

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black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles. Observance Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art; colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women; and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, Kikombe cha Umoja, passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa. The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa". A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (Karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani? which is Swahili for "What's the News?" At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values. Today, many African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and New Year's. Frequently, both Christmas trees and kinaras, the traditional candle holder symbolic of African American roots, share space in kwanzaa-celebrating households. To them, Kwanzaa is an opportunity to incorporate elements of their particular ethnic heritage into holiday observances and celebrations of Christmas. Cultural exhibitions include the Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring interpretive dance, African dance, song and poetry.

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New Years Eve 12/31/2011

Yes it is finally that time as we wait and count down the end of this year and make our new years resolutions for a promising new year a head of us, let us hold onto the good memories of this passing year and let the bad ones fade away as the new year rings in with new hopes and dreams and a better tomorrow. Happy New Year everyone and please be safe and have fun...

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Awareness For the Month of December

December 2011 Health Current Events - Weeks Event National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week Date 1st Dec - 7th Dec Nation United States Organization AA & MDSIF

December 2011 Health Events - Days Event World Aids Day International Day Of Disabled Persons Date 1st Dec 3rd Dec Nation Worldwide Worldwide Organization World Aids Day United Nations

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Crafts
How to Make a Christmas Snow Globe

Craft supplies you will need: glass jar with tight fitting lid distilled water, or boil some water and use when cool glycerin (helps slow the falling snow; buy in most drug

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stores and some craft stores) white or silver glitter, or fake snow crystals (avoid ultra-fine glitters; they float rather than fall!) clear silicone sealant (aquarium sealant is great) small waterproof ornament or figurine plastic jar lid, to fit inside the jar as a base to elevate the ornament within the jar (or florists clay) another plastic jar lid, or wooden circle, a bit larger than your jar lid, for a stand (optional) acrylic paint for the ornament coiled Christmas rope or decorative ribboncraft glue to attach the decorative rope Craft Instructions: Check to make sure that the ornament you have chosen will fit within the diameter of your jar. You will probably find that the ornament needs to be elevated somewhat to be properly visible within the globe. Use a small plastic bottle lid to create a base; the white plastic lid that I used to do this is visible in the photo, showing as a white area just below the ornament. Make a trial run. Invert your globe jar and remove the glass part, leaving only the lid. Place the plastic base in the center of the lid, then position the ornament on top of this. Place the jar over the ornament and check the fit. If the ornament is high enough to view clearly, use silicone or aquarium sealant to glue the ornament firmly to its plastic base, then glue the base lid to the

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center of the inverted globe lid. Allow to set, following sealant manufacturer recommendations. Use another small jar to test the snow fall. Fill the test jar with distilled water, or cool, boiled water, then add a scant teaspoon of glitter. Put the lid on and shake to see if you like the effect. If the snow is too sparse, add a little more glitter. Add a few drops of glycerin and test it again. The glycerin should slow the rate of the snow fall quite nicely. I have read that you can use mineral oil instead of water and glycerin, but I haven't tried it. Working over a sink, pour the water and glitter into the globe jar, filling to the very top. Invert the ornament assembly into the water and screw the lid into place. Some water will be displaced and spill over the top of the jar. Wipe the jar dry and shake it up! I enjoyed this part the most, because the little church looked so pretty in the midst of a glittery snow storm. If desired, use the sealant to glue the jar to a wooden base or another plastic lid for extra stability. Although I used a wooden base for my snow globe, I chose not to glue the two together - this way, I can just pick up the glass jar to shake it. Paint the base and the jar lid in your color preference. I used terra cotta brown. Once the paint is dry, use craft glue to add embellishments such as a coiled Christmas rope or Christmas lace.

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Victorian Juice Lid Ornaments

Here's an easy way to add a little Victoriana to your country cottage or vintage decor, especially at Christmas when you can use these little ornaments to bring a Victorian theme to your Christmas tree. Make the base from a recycled juice can lid; cut the picture from a greeting card or old gift wrap - and you may even have enough leftover trims to complete the project. Craft Supplies: Juice Can Lid (kind from frozen concentrate juice, no sharp edges) Lace or Wire Ribbon 1/4 inch ribbon Decorative Cord Hot Glue Picture from old Christmas Card, Gift Wrap, etc Gold or copper paint or paint pen Sandpaper How to: Sand your lid a little with sandpaper to help the glue stick better. Wash your lid thoroughly and allow to dry completely. Place your lid over the picture you wish to use and draw around the lid. Cut out your picture along the outline. Glue your picture to what was the outside top of the lid. Add a little glue to

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the top of the picture and cover the entire picture and ornament on both sides with a coat of glue. Allow the glue to dry completely. (If you like, you can add a coat of gloss varnish to the picture area and if you do this before the glue dries completely, you'll have a little crackle in the varnish, that makes your ornament look a little more aged). Now paint with a gold or copper paint pen around the top rim of the lid and allow to dry. You will be able to see this part of the lid when your ornament is complete. Glue a piece of cording around the inside of the lid and be sure to secure both ends of the cord with a little extra glue to keep it from unravelling. Glue a piece of ribbon (for hanger) across the outside rim and glue about 1 inch down the back of the lid for extra strength. I left the hanging ends of these open to tie in a bow, but you can just add a loop of ribbon if you prefer. Refer to photo. Now depending on which ornament you'd like to make will depend on the ribbon or lace placement: For the lace trim: Glue a piece of lace to the outside rim. Folding each end of the lace, wrong sides together about 1/4 inch in to hide the end cuts. For wire ribbon:

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Take one end of the wire ribbon and gather one edge of the wire ribbon by securing one end of the wire and pulling the other end until the ribbon is gathered together to the desired fullness. Twist together to two ends of wire that you have gathered to secure the wire in place. Cut off the excess wire. Fold each end of your lace or ribbon(wrong side together) about 1/4 inch to hide the end cut. Glue to the back of the ornament, placing centre of the lid. The easiest way to do this by applying the glue to the back of the lid (be generous with the glue) and placing the ribbon ring on the glue. Place a bottle or something with a little weight on top of the ribbon until it is dry. Add a little bow as a finishing touch to the bottom centre of the ornament or leave as it is

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Peppermint Candy Cane Bath Salts

Candy cane bath salts make a wonderful gift in a jar, particularly suitable for Christmas, birthdays or Mother's Day. We offer two different formulas here, so you can choose whether you want to make layered red and white bath salts, or tri-color bath salts of green, red and white. Either of these recipes look great layered in a glass jar, decorated with a ribbon and bow. Although mason jars work well for this project, I prefer to recycle other food jars - tall, slim jars such as those sometimes used for olive oil or vinegar are perfect, because they offer lots of opportunity for layering the colored salts. If there is a plastic dispenser obstructing the mouth of the oil jar, you can usually remove it with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Because food jars vary in capacity, I've designed these recipes to make one cup of bath salts. Just double, treble or quadruple the ingredients to fill two cup or three cup jars, or to make multiple jars. If you don't know how many cups a jar holds, fill it with epsom salts then empty into a measuring jug before proceeding with the recipe. If you have some left over ... well, just fill the bath and enjoy! Tri-Color Candy Cane Bath Salts For each cup of bath salts, you will need:

1 cup of Epsom Salts (or 3/4 cup epsom salts mixed with 1/4 cup of sea salt) 1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil 3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil red and green food coloring

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mixing equipment: bowls, egg cups, measuring spoons, mixing spoons, funnel, glass jar Divide the epsom salts, placing 1/3 cup into three separate bowls. Divide the sweet almond oil, placing 1/3 teaspoon into three separate egg cups. Add one drop of peppermint oil to each of the three egg cups. Stir one drop of red food coloring into one egg cup, and one drop of green food coloring into another; the third egg cup of almond oil and peppermint oil remains uncolored. Empty the green almond oil mixture into one of the bowls of epsom salts. Empty the red almond oil mixture into the second bowl of epsom salts. Add the uncolored almond oil mix into the third bowl of epsom salts. Thoroughly stir each bowl of epsom salts to distribute the color and fragrance. Begin filling a glass jar with the bath salts, using a funnel to add each layer of color. You can tip the jar slightly to get an angled effect, but straight layers also look highly effective. Bring the epsom salts right to the top of the jar. Tap the jar on a table to settle the ingredients and use the back of a spoon to tamp the salts down a little bit; add more epsom salts, if needed, until the jar is filled completely to the top, then screw on the jar lid. (Tamping down the epsom salts prevents the colored layers from mixing before use).

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Red and White Candy Cane Bath Salts For each cup of bath salts, you will need: 1 cup of Epsom Salts (or 3/4 cup epsom salts mixed with 1/4 cup of sea salt) 4 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil 2 drops red food coloring optional: 4 drops Glycerin mixing equipment: two bowls, mixing spoons, funnel, glass jar Divide the epsom salts into two bowls. Add two drops of peppermint oil and two drops of glycerin, if using, into each bowl. Add two drops of red food coloring to one bowl and stir to evenly distribute the color. Begin alternating layers of red and white bath salts in a clear glass jar, using a funnel. Make sure the jar is filled completely to the top to prevent colored from shifting before use.

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Rituals

Solitary Yule Ritual Statement of Intent:

"Since the beginning of time witches have gathered in this season To celebrate the rebirth of the Sun. On the Winter Solstice - the darkest of nights The Goddess becomes the Great Mother And once again gives birth to the Sun Beginning the yearly cycle anew Bringing new light and hope to all the World. On the longest night of winter Flares the spark of hope The Sacred Fire, The Light of the World, I am present here to welcome the new light. As I join the Goddess in greeting the new Sun I also welcome the new light within myself."

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Calling the Quarters: "Hail guardians of the east, spirits of Air, powers of Thought I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect me from all negativity from the east." "Hail guardians of the south, spirits of Fire, powers of Will I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect me from all negativity from the south." "Hail guardians of the west, spirits of Water, powers of Emotion I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect me from all negativity from the west." "Hail guardians of the north, spirits of Earth, powers of Stability I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect me from all negativity from the north."

Casting the Circle: "I conjure ye O Circle of Light to be a temple between the worlds In the name of the Silver Lady and the Golden Lord.

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Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, So Mote It Be."

Invocation: "Lady, you who are the beauty of the snowy earth and the white moon among the stars the mystery of the waters the desire in the heart of humanity We invite to you to come to this place and attend this rite, for you are the soul of nature that gives life to the universe." "Lord, You who are the freedom of the wild things the bright sun that lights the day the mystery of the forest The resolve in the heart of humanity We invite you to come here to this place and attend this rite, for you are the body of nature who gives life to the universe."

Meditation: "The old solar year has run its course and completed its cycle. So too have some of our habits or traits completed their cycles and outlived their usefulness. This is a time for shedding that which is no longer needed." (Take a few moments now to consider which things you would leave behind as you go into the coming year.) (pause to meditate)

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"As the old year dies away so to will these old ways will fade into memory." "In the beginning we came from the darkness of the womb. There we were created, nourished and prepared for our birth into the light. Within us, we still carry that fertile darkness. There we hold the seeds of hopes and dreams to come. There we nourish are hopes for love, joy and peace for all. We shield these tender roots until they are strong enough to come forth and flourish in the light." (Spend a little time now tending these creations to come. Name them, nurture them for they will grow with you and bloom in the coming year.) (pause to reflect) "As the sun strengthens above, so will my new ways grow."

Reading: "I light this candle for the infant Solstice Sun One small flame to pierce the darkness A ray of hope A symbol of the Light within me Light that can never be extinguished Light that will grow in glory Waxing strong, despite the cold to come Light that dispels despair and resignation Giving us a glimpse of golden days ahead" "Behold the light that can never die Reborn anew in the Solstice Sky!"

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Before the Chant: (While chanting, think of those who you would send positive energy to: Loved ones perhaps, those in need of healing or added strength. Perhaps people who's names you do not know, who are living with war or hunger. You may wish to focus on that which important to you, your values, Perhaps the earth itself, or the animals who share it with us Whatever it is you wish to send your healing energy to. As we chant we will build the our energy with the turning of the wheel. As you chant feel the energy of change resonate within you. When you stop the chant, visualize the positive energy bursting forth, like the sun coming out from behind a thick cloud, and imagine strong rays of streaking out, empowering your wishes, and carrying your healing thoughts to their targets."

The Chant: "Hoof and horn, hoof and horn All that dies will be reborn Corn and grain, corn and grain All that falls will rise again."

Blessing of Cakes and Wine: "This food and wine is the blessing of the Goddess and God to our bodies. I will partake in it freely. And remember to share

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what I have with those who have nothing."

Releasing: "Thank you, Goddess of the Moon for attending these rites in your honor, and for sharing with me your gifts of compassion and wit. Hail, and farewell." "Thank you, God of the Sun for attending these rites in your honor, and for sharing with me your gifts of freedom and rejuvenation. Hail, and farewell." "Guardians of the north, I thank you for your presence here and for your gift of stability. Hail and farewell." "Guardians of the west, I thank you for your presence here and for your gift of empathy. Hail and farewell." "Guardians of the south, I thank you for your presence here and for your gift of purity. Hail and farewell." "Guardians of the east, I thank you for your presence here and for your gift of clarity. Hail and farewell." "The circle is open, yet never broken, merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again."

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A Ritual For The New Year

By: Andrew

As we come to the end of another year and we think about the coming year we start to set our new goals and think about what we want for the upcoming year is a ritual that will help bring your goals into fruition and help let go of all the built up negative energies. Let us first cleanse our selves and our homes. Start with the LBR (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the pentagram) let our minds be set on banishing all the negative influences that linger about us and anything that may have been attached to us. As you stand in your circle after performing the LBR recite the following: I N.(your name) Banish all the negative energies that are about me cleansing myself from all unwanted influences and impurities. I Banish anything that has bound its self to me that wish harm or ill-will This I command in the Names of (use the power wards/God names that are appropriate to you) For this is my will and it will be done Now as you are still in your circle see it grow and expand to where it is now encompassing your whole house and recite the following: I N.(your name) Banish all the negative energies that are within this home and all unwanted influences that linger here within this home. I banish all uninvited spirits from this dwelling place, return to from whence you have come and never return. I fill this home, my house my temple with peace and harmony and love

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and no other negative energies or harmful influences may enter This I command in the Names of (use the power wards/God names that are appropriate to you) For this is my will and it will be done Now after that is done and before you close your circle feel around to make sure everything is as you want it and if it is, proceed to closing your circle by repeating the LBR and at the end saying this is my will and my will has been done. Now let us take this time to relax, light some candles and some incense, take a shower or bath as part of the ritual which will help us to feel more relaxed and completely cleansed. (you may use the Ritual under this one or the one I have here) Ritual bath (The Adoration of the Bath) Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, O Lord! And I shall be clean: Thou shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let this my temple be pure and cleansed from all impurities. Now let us begin to prepare our ritual. You will need the following Pen or pencil Paper/parchment Magical alphabet/script of your choosing Once you have all your materials let us set back and think on what we want to come about for this New Year write down your goals and hopes. For example:

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A successful year for the magazine, financial stability, and success in all my business ventures, a year of good health and spiritual growth. Now let us condense this and write it out as we would for a ritual invocation. It is my will that the year to come be filled with success , good fortune and filled with growth both spiritual and material and that all my endeavors will be positive. (try to keep it simple and to the point so there is no room for question) Now you may write all this out on the paper/parchment that you have consecrated for this ritual with your magical alphabet/script as you have it written now or you may make a sigil out of it. Either way will work but keep in mind the more work and energy you put into it the more you will get out of it. Once that is done fold it up and put it on your alter or a safe place till you are ready to perform the final part. The final part may be done on Yule, New Years eve or at a time of your choosing, or you can put it in your book of shadows folded up and taped to a blank page one that you will come to at the start of the New Year thus making it a trigger object that will be cast upon reading it. For those that wish to do it as part of their Yule ritual cast your circle and perform your ritual and at the end burn the parchment upon the Yule log or Yule candle thus completing this ritual. I wish each and all of you the very best for this new year to come and may it be filled with many blessings.

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Ritual Bath

The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse yourself, inside and out of negative energies and prepare your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self for Circle. A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself. The rite is ideally done just prior to Circle, but this is not always the case. [An example of such is if you have to travel to the meeting place.] After the rite is completed and you must travel to another place for Circle, try to keep your mind in a Spiritual frame as this will aid you in Circle. The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs, oils and colors that are harmonious with the work to be done in Circle. To prepare for the bath: Select the Herbs, [it is best to have your herbs in a satchel for easier clean-up] oils and salts [of the same color as the candle] that you will be using. Have a censer and charcoal block ready to burn a corresponding incense on. Anoint a candle of appropriate color [Possibly using the same oil as you are using in the bath water.] If you have a shrine set up in your bathroom there should be a Goddess and God candle present. Have some Holy Water ready. [Holy Water is made from: 1/3 sea-water {river-water with sea-salt added will do if sea-water is unavailable}; 1/3 river-water; 1/3 spring-water {store bought is OK}.]

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Have a tape recorder with meditation music in the bathroom with you, it aids in visualization and meditation is invaluable. [Be cautious to have the tape recorder far away from any water and DO NOT TOUCH IT WHILE YOU ARE STILL WET.] A glass of wine is also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite. And your libation dish for the libation to the Gods. To begin turn out the lights and light the candle(s) and incense, turn on tape, fill the tub with warm water and add herbs, oils, salts and a cup or so of Holy Water. With your Athame draw and visualize a Water or Banishing Pentagram over the bath water. All of these tools represent the four Elements; Air/the incense and the scents from the bath, Fire/the heat of the bath, Water/the bath and Holy Water and, Earth/the herbs and oils. Lower yourself into the water and visualize it cleansing you of all negativity. Know that these energies are flowing from your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self into the water. Relax and enjoy the warmth of the water, the scents in the air and the feeling of being cleansed of all negativity, let yourself drift. Now concentrate and visualize on the purpose of the coming ritual and know that you are truly prepared. When you feel you are ready, pull the plug and stay in the tub until all the water has drained. As the water is draining visualize and know that the negative energies that are now in the water are going into the Earth and are grounded. Rise up out of the tub and do a Self Blessing like the following: Anoint each area while saying aloud: Blessed be my Mind, that learns of Your ways Blessed be my eyes, that have seen this day.

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Blessed be my lips, that utter Your names and keep Your secrets. Blessed be my breast(s), formed in strength (Beauty). Blessed be the phallus (Womb), for without which I would not be. Blessed be my knees, that shall kneel at thy Sacred Altar. Blessed be my feet, that have brought me in these ways. Pour a libation to the Gods and drink the wine. When dried, robe, clean-up the bathroom and take the libation outside to return it to the Earth. The rite is ended.

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As Continued from the November Issue

The Book of Five Rings

Go Rin no Sho by Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645 Table of Contents Introduction The Ground Book The Water Book The Fire Book The Wind Book The Book of the Void

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In the November Issue, the Introduction and Ground Book were covered. Now we move onward to the Water Book. Though written from a perspective of battle, the understanding and use of these philosophies can be applied to many parts of life for successful outcomes in various situations.

The Water Book

The spirit of the Ni Ten Ichi school of strategy is based on water, and this Water Book explains methods of victory as the long-sword form of the Ichi school. Language does not extend to explaining the Way in detail, but it can be grasped intuitively. Study this book; read a word then ponder on it. If you interpret the meaning loosely you will mistake the Way. The principles of strategy are written down here in terms of single combat, but you must think broadly so that you attain an understanding for ten-thousand-a-side battles. Strategy is different from other things in that if you mistake the Way even a little you will become bewildered and fall into bad ways. If you merely read this book you will not reach the Way of Strategy. Absorb the things written in this book. Do not just read, memorise or imitate, but so that you realize the principle from within your own heart study hard to absorb these things into your body.

Spiritual Bearing in Strategy

In strategy your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both

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in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited nor over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit. Small people must be completely familiar with the spirit of large people, and large people must be familiar with the spirit of small people. Whatever your size, do not be misled by the reactions of your own body. With your spirit open and unconstricted, look at things from a high point of view. You must cultivate your wisdom and spirit. Polish your wisdom: learn public justice, distinguish between good and evil, study the Ways of different arts one by one. When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realized the wisdom of strategy. The wisdom of strategy is different from other things. On the battlefield, even when you are hard-pressed, you should ceaselessly research the principles of strategy so that you can develop a steady spirit.

Stance in Strategy
Adopt a stance with the head erect, neither hanging down, nor looking up, nor twisted. Your forehead and the space between your eyes should not be wrinkled. Do not roll your eyes nor allow them to blink, but slightly narrow them. With your features composed, keep the line of your nose straight with a feeling of slightly flaring your nostrils. Hold the line of the rear of the neck straight: instill vigor into your hairline, and in the same way from the shoulders down through your entire body. Lower both shoulders and, without the buttocks jutting out, put strength into your legs from the knees to the tips of your toes. Brace your abdomen so that you do not bend at the hips. Wedge your companion sword in your belt against your abdomen, so that your belt is not slack - this is called "wedging in".

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In all forms of strategy, it is necessary to maintain the combat stance in everyday life and to make your everyday stance your combat stance. You must research this well.

The Gaze in Strategy

The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze "Perception and Sight". Perception is strong and sight week. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword. You must study this. The gaze is the same for single combat and for large-scale strategy. It is necessary in strategy to be able to look to both sides without moving the eyeballs. You cannot master this ability quickly. Learn what is written here; use this gaze in everyday life and do not vary it whatever happens.

Holding the Long Sword

Grip the long sword with a rather floating feeling in your thumb and forefinger, with the middle finger neither tight nor slack, and with the last two fingers tight. It is bad to have play in your hands. When you take up a sword, you must feel intent on cutting the enemy. As you cut an enemy you must not change your grip, and your hands must not "cower". When you dash the enemy's sword aside, or ward it off, or force it down, you must slightly change the feeling in your thumb and forefinger. Above all, you must be intent on cutting the enemy in the way you grip the sword. The grip for combat and for sword-testing is the same. There is no such thing as a "man-cutting grip". Generally, I dislike fixedness in both long swords and hands. Fixedness means

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a dead hand. Pliability is a living hand. You must bear this in mind.

Footwork
With the tips of your toes somewhat floating, tread firmly with your heels. Whether you move fast or slow, with large or small steps, your feet must always move as in normal walking. I dislike the three walking methods know as "jumping-foot", "floating-foot" and "fixed-steps". So-called "Yin-Yang foot" is important in the Way. Yin-Yang foot means not moving only one foot. It means moving your feet left-right and right-left when cutting, withdrawing, or warding off a cut. You should not move on one foot preferentially.

The Five Attitudes

The five attitudes are: Upper Middle Lower Right Side Left Side. These are the Five. Although attitude has these five divisions, the one purpose of all of them is to cut the enemy. There are none but these five attitudes. Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting. Your attitude should be large or small according to the situation. Upper, Lower and Middle attitudes are decisive. Left Side and Right Side attitudes are fluid. Left and Right attitudes should be used if there is an obstruction overhead or to one side. The decision to use Left or Right depends on the place.

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The essence of the Way is this. To understand attitude you must thoroughly understand the middle attitude. The middle attitude is the heart of attitudes. If we look at strategy on a broad scale, the Middle attitude is the seat of the commander, with the other four attitudes following the commander. You must appreciate this.

The Way of the Long Sword

Knowing the Way of the long sword means we can wield with two fingers the sword we usually carry. If we know the path of the sword well, we can wield it easily. If you try to wield the long sword quickly you will mistake the Way. To wield the long sword well you must wield it calmly. If you try to wield it quickly, like a folding fan or a short sword, you will err by using "short sword chopping". You cannot cut down a man with a long sword using this method. When you have cut downwards with the longsword, lift it straight upwards; when you cut sideways, return the sword along a sideways path. Return the sword in a reasonable way, always stretching the elbows broadly. Wield the sword strongly. This is the Way of the longsword. If you learn to use the five approaches of my strategy, you will be able to wield a sword well. You must train constantly.

The Five Approaches

1. The first approach is the Middle attitude. Confront the enemy with the point of your sword against his face. When he attacks, dash his sword to the right and "ride" it. Or, when the enemy attacks, deflect the point of his sword by hitting downwards, keep your long sword where it is, and as the enemy renews his attack cut his arms from below. This is the first method. The five approaches are this kind of thing. You must train repeatedly using a long sword in order to learn them. When you master my Way of

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the long sword, you will be able to control any attack the enemy makes. I assure you, there are no attitudes other than the five attitudes of the long sword of Ni To. 2. In the second approach with the long sword, from the Upper attitude cut the enemy just as he attacks. If the enemy evades the cut, keep your sword where it is and, scooping up from below, cut him as he renews the attack. It is possible to repeat the cut from here. In this method there are various changes in timing and spirit. You will be able to understand this by training in the Ichi school. You will always win with the five long sword methods. You must train repetitively. 3. In the third approach, adopt the Lower attitude, anticipating scooping up. When the enemy attacks, hit his hands from below. As you do so he may try to hit your sword down. If this is the case, cut his upper arm(s) horizontally with a feeling of "crossing". This means that from the lower attitudes you hit the enemy at the instant that he attacks. You will encounter this method often, both as a beginner and in later strategy. You must train holding a long sword. 4. In this fourth approach, adopt the Left Side attitude. As the enemy attacks hit his hands from below. If as you hit his hands he attempts to dash down your sword, with the feeling of hitting his hands, parry the path of his long sword and cut across from above your shoulder. This is the Way of the long sword. Through this method you win by parrying the line of the enemy's attack. You must research this. 5. In the fifth approach, the sword is in the Right Side attitude. In accordance with the enemy's attack, cross your long sword from below at the side to the Upper attitude. Then cut straight from above. This method is essential for knowing the Way of the long sword well. If you can use this method, you can freely wield a heavy long sword.

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I cannot describe in detail how to use these five approaches. You must become well acquainted with my "in harmony with the long sword" Way, learn large-scale timing, understand the enemy's long sword, and become used to the five approaches from the outset. You will always win by using these five methods, with various timing considerations discerning the enemy's spirit. You must consider all this carefully.

The "Attitude No-Attitude" Teaching

"Attitude No-Attitude" means that there is no need for what are know as long sword attitudes. Even so, attitudes exist as the five ways of holding the long sword. However you hold the sword it must be in such a way that it is easy to cut the enemy well, in accordance with the situation, the place, and your relation to the enemy. From the Upper attitude as your spirit lessens you can adopt the Middle attitude, and from the Middle attitude you can raise the sword a little in your technique and adopt the Upper attitude. From the lower attitude you can raise the sword and adopt the Middle attitudes as the occasion demands. According to the situation, if you turn your sword from either the Left Side or Right Side attitude towards the centre, the Middle or the Lower attitude results. The principle of this is called "Existing Attitude - Nonexisting Attitude". The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him. You must thoroughly research this. Attitude in strategy on a larger scale is called "Battle Array". Such attitudes are all for winning battles. Fixed formation is bad. Study this well.

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To Hit the Enemy "In One Timing"

"In One Timing" means, when you have closed with the enemy, to hit him as quickly and directly as possible, without moving your body or settling your spirit, while you see that he is still undecided. The timing of hitting before the enemy decides to withdraw, break or hit, is this "In One Timing". You must train to achieve this timing, to be able to hit in the timing of an instant.

The "Abdomen Timing of Two"

When you attack and the enemy quickly retreats, as you see him tense you must feint a cut. Then, as he relaxes, follow up and hit him. This is the "Abdomen Timing of Two". It is very difficult to attain this by merely reading this book, but you will soon understand with a little instruction. No Design, No Conception In this method, when the enemy attacks and you also decide to attack, hit with your body, and hit with your spirit, and hit from the Void with your hands, accelerating strongly. This is the "No Design,

No Conception" cut.
This is the most important method of hitting. It is often used. You must train hard to understand it.

The Flowing Water Cut

The "Flowing Water Cut" is used when you are struggling blade to blade with the enemy. When he breaks and quickly withdraws trying to spring with his

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long sword, expand your body and spirit and cut him as slowly as possible with your long sword, following your body like stagnant water. You can cut with certainty if you learn this. You must discern the enemy's grade.

Continuous Cut
When you attack and the enemy also attacks, and your swords spring together, in one action cut his head, hands and legs. When you cut several places with one sweep of the long sword, it is the "Continuous Cut". You must practice this cut; it is often used. With detailed practice you should be able to understand it.

The Fire and Stones Cut

The Fires and Stones Cut means that when the enemy's long sword and your long sword clash together you cut as strongly as possible without raising the sword even a little. This means cutting quickly with the hands, body and legs all three cutting strongly. If you train well enough you will be able to strike strongly.

The Red Leaves Cut

The Red Leaves Cut [allusion to falling, dying leaves] means knocking down the enemy's long sword. The spirit should be getting control of his sword. When the enemy is in a long sword attitude in front of you and intent on cutting, hitting and parrying, you strongly hit the enemy's long sword with the Fire and Stones Cut, perhaps in the spirit of the "No Design, No Conception" Cut. If you then beat down the point of his sword with a sticky feeling, he will necessarily drop the sword. If you practice this cut it becomes easy to make the enemy drop his sword. You must train repetitively.

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The Body in Place of the Long Sword

Also "the long sword in place of the body". Usually we move the body and the sword at the same time to cut the enemy. However, according to the enemy's cutting method, you can dash against him with your body first, and afterwards cut with the sword. If his body is immovable, you can cut first with the long sword, but generally you hit first with the body and then cut with the long sword. You must research this well and practice hitting.

Cut and Slash

To cut and to slash are two different things. Cutting, whatever form of cutting it is, is decisive, with a resolute spirit. Slashing is nothing more than touching the enemy. Even if you slash strongly, and even if the enemy dies instantly, it is slashing. When you cut, your spirit is resolved. You must appreciate this. If you first slash the enemy's hands or legs, you must then cut strongly. Slashing is in spirit the same as touching. When you realize this, they become indistinguishable. Learn this well.

Chinese Monkey's Body

The Chinese Monkey's Body is the spirit of not stretching out your arms. The spirit is to get in quickly, without in the least extending your arms, before the enemy cuts. If you are intent upon not stretching out your arms you are effectively far away, the spirit is to go in with your whole body. When you come to within arm's reach it becomes easy to move your body in. You must research this well.

Glue and Lacquer Emulsion Body

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The spirit of "Glue and Lacquer Emulsion Body" is to stick to the enemy and not separate from him. When you approach the enemy, stick firmly with your head, body and legs. People tend to advance their head and legs quickly, but their body lags behind. You should stick firmly so that there is not the slightest gap between the enemy's body and your body. You must consider this carefully.

To Strive for Height

By "to strive for height" is meant, when you close with the enemy, to strive with him for superior height without cringing. Stretch your legs, stretch your hips, and stretch your neck face to face with him. When you think you have won, and you are the higher, thrust in strongly. You must learn this.

To Apply Stickiness
When the enemy attacks and you also attack with the long sword, you should go in with a sticky feeling and fix your long sword against the enemy's as you receive his cut. The spirit of stickiness is not hitting very strongly, but hitting so that the long swords do not separate easily. It is best to approach as calmly as possible when hitting the enemy's long sword with stickiness. The difference between "Stickiness" and "Entanglement" is that stickiness is firm and entanglement is weak. You must appreciate this.

The Body Strike

The Body Strike means to approach the enemy through a gap in his guard. The spirit is to strike him with your body. Turn your face a little aside and

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strike the enemy's breast with your left shoulder thrust out. Approach with the spirit of bouncing the enemy away, striking as strongly as possible in time with your breathing. If you achieve this method of closing with the enemy, you will be able to knock him ten or twenty feet away. It is possible to strike the enemy until he is dead. Train well.

Three Ways to Parry His Attack

There are three methods to parry a cut: First, by dashing the enemy's long sword to your right, as if thrusting at his eyes, when he makes an attack. Or, to parry by thrusting the enemy's long sword towards his right eye with the feeling of snipping his neck. Or, when you have a short "long sword", without worrying about parrying the enemy's long sword, to close with him quickly, thrusting at his face with your left hand. These are the three methods of parrying. You must bear in mind that you can always clench your left hand and thrust at the enemy's face with your fist. For this it is necessary to train well.

To Stab at the Face

To stab at the face means, when you are in confrontation with the enemy, that your spirit is intent of stabbing at his face, following the line of the blades with the point of your long sword. If you are intent on stabbing at his face, his face and body will become rideable. When the enemy becomes as if rideable, there are various opportunities for winning. You must concentrate on this. When fighting and the enemy's body becomes as if rideable, you can win quickly, so you ought not to forget to stab at the face. You must pursue the value of this technique through training.

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To Stab at the Heart

To stab at the heart means, when fighting and there are obstructions above, or to the sides, and whenever it is difficult to cut, to thrust at the enemy. You must stab the enemy's breast without letting the point of your long sword waver, showing the enemy the ridge of the blade square-on, and with the spirit of deflecting his long sword. The spirit of this principle is often useful when we become tired or for some reason our long sword will not cut. You must understand the application of this method.

To Scold "Tut-TUT!"
"Scold" means that, when the enemy tries to counter-cut as you attack, you counter-cut again from below as if thrusting at him, trying to hold him down. With very quick timing you cut, scolding the enemy. Thrust up, "Tut!", and cut "TUT!" This timing is encountered time and time again in exchange of blows. The way to scold Tut-TUT is to time the cut simultaneously with raising your long sword as if to thrust the enemy. You must learn this through repetitive practice.

The Smacking Parry

By "smacking parry" is meant that when you clash swords with the enemy, you meet his attacking cut on your long sword with a tee-dum, tee-dum rhythm, smacking his sword and cutting him. The spirit of the smacking parry is not parrying, or smacking strongly, but smacking the enemy's long sword in accordance with his attacking cut, primarily intent on quickly cutting him. If you understand the timing of smacking, however hard your long swords clash together, your swordpoint will not be knocked back even a little. You must research sufficiently to realize this.

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There are Many Enemies

"There are many enemies" applies when you are fighting one against many. Draw both sword and companion sword and assume a wide-stretched left and right attitude. The spirit is to chase the enemies around from side to side, even though they come from all four directions. Observe their attacking order, and go to meet first those who attack first. Sweep your eyes around broadly, carefully examining the attacking order, and cut left and right alternately with your swords. Waiting is bad. Always quickly re-assume your attitudes to both sides, cut the enemies down as they advance, crushing them in the direction from which they attack. Whatever you do, you must drive the enemy together, as if tying a line of fishes, and when they are seen to be piled up, cut them down strongly without giving them room to move.

The Advantage when Coming to Blows

You can know how to win through strategy with the long sword, but it cannot be clearly explained in writing. You must practice diligently in order to understand how to win. Oral tradition: "The true Way of Strategy is revealed in the long sword."

One Cut
You can win with certainty with the spirit of "one cut". It is difficult to attain this if you do not learn strategy well. If you train well in this Way, strategy will come from your heart and you will be able to win at will. You must train diligently.

Direct Communication

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The spirit of "Direct Communication" is how the true Way of the Ni To Ichi school is received and handed down. Oral tradition: "Teach your body strategy." Recorded in the above book is an outline of Ichi school sword-fighting. To learn how to win with the long sword in strategy, first learn the five approaches and the five attitudes, and absorb the Way of the long sword naturally in your body. You must understand spirit and timing, handle the long sword naturally, and move body and legs in harmony with your spirit. Whether beating one man or two, you will then know values in strategy. Study the contents of this book, taking one item at a time, and through fighting with enemies you will gradually come to know the principle of the Way. Deliberately, with a patient spirit, absorb the virtue of all this, from time to time raising your hand in combat. Maintain this spirit whenever you cross swords with and enemy. Step by step walk the thousand-mile road. Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. Next, in order to beat more skillful men, train according to this book, not allowing your heart to be swayed along a side-track. Even if you kill an enemy, if it is not based on what you have learned it is not the true Way. If you attain this Way of victory, then you will be able to beat several tens of men. What remains is sword-fighting ability, which you can attain in battles and duels. This concludes the Water Book of Miyamoto Musashi. Please return next issue for a continuation of the Book of Five Rings

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~My Meditation rite~

By: Sweet Dark Angel First find a position that is comfortable to you and one that is easy to find your center, as you sit there, start to clear your mind just letting all thoughts go as they may free from you like feathers on the wind. Now start to relax your breathing slow deep breaths (inhale for a count of 5 & then hold for a count of 5, and finally exhale for a count of 5) with each breath feel your body begin to relax till it is completely relaxed. Feel your heart slow with each breath till it is in tone with your breathing. Now with each breath begin to visualize yourself in a place that is peaceful and comforting to you (like a meadow with a calm running stream or water fall and u setting by the stream or lake under the shade of a tree). Now with each breath visualize each of your

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chakras slowly opening and glowing brightly till each chakras has become open (but as you do feel the energies of each filling you as you breath in, filling you and refreshing you, as you exhale feel the impure energies leaving you leaving only the renewed energies) . Now with each breath start to feel the elements about you filling you, as you breath in feel the air about you light and soft. Comforting becoming one with the energies about you and flowing through you as if it was a part of you. As you continue to breath in and out you now feel the water in the air softly glisten your skin as a cool rain with each breath cleansing you and become one with you, As you feel your self light and free you feel the cool moist earth beneath your feet giving you strength and cradling you as a mother giving you comfort and safety as you are becoming one with all things, Now as you begin to feel the warmth building up inside you, as you feel your self shining like the moon and stars filling you with an inner fire that is loving and nourishing bring all the energies together as one making you one with all things. With each breath and exhale you become fully at peace with your self and all that is around you, free from the bonds that once held you as you are now one with one with your self and all things around you. As you open your eyes you are free from all things and at peace, you feel refreshed and cleansed.

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The Theory Of Balance Part 2 ( The Calling )

By: Andrew

FOR MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN! As we first enter this way of life we are filled w/ questions, emotions , and feelings of being out of place, confusion, & nothing else seems fit properly! You start to see the world for what it is and you feel that your alone, you start seeking the right direction when you find it you find your path keeps disappearing only to be found again until one day you find the correct path for you finally comes but then the real test and trials come. These trials are what makes us or breaks us. These hit us where we are vulnerable and where it'll cause the most damage, this happens to break us, so we can rid ourselves of those burdens that has a hold & keeps us from growing it also helps to open up our subconscious mind & weaken the conscious mind which has to happen in order for us to truly perform magick, because the conscious mind

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blocks the subconscious thinking that it's protecting us from harm. that's why one needs to master self first before he/she can start to master his/her art. This is why we are put through a brutal roller coaster, slowly destroying our old ways of perceiving things, and getting rid of false illusions set by our conscious mind. This is where I tell people "sink or swim", sink because they can't handle what's before them and they crumble if their lucky, so truly ask your self is this what I want, is this truly for me, because if you chose to continue and it really isn't for you then you put your life at stake, because that's the must likely out come. So chose wisely because there's no turning back once you commit to your path. you must learn to embrace those test & trials for in the end it's what truly makes you. MAY YOU ALLWAYS BE BLESSED FROM THIS DAY FORTH & FOR EVERMORE!!

Magical Oaths
By: Andrew

Similar to the magical name, the magical oath also represents an obligation that the magician enters into for various reasons. In the sense A:.A:. wrote; " Word should express will " hence the Mystic Name of the Probationer is the expression of his highest will. There are of course, few Probationers who understand themselves

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sufficiently to be able to formulate their will to themselves, and therefore at the end of their probation they chose a new name. It is convenient therefore for the student to express his will by taking magical oaths. Since such an oath is unrevocable it should be well considered, and it is better not to take any oath permanently; because w/ increase of understanding may come a perception of the incompatibility of lesser oaths w/ the greater. This indeed is most certain to occur, and it must be remembered that the whole essence of the will is it's one-pointedness, a dilemma of this sort is the worst in which the Magus can find himself. Another great point in consideration of magical vows is to keep them in their proper place. They must be taken for a clearly defined purpose, a clearly understood purpose, & they must never be aloud to go beyond it! There is no power which can be prized into the service of the magical will, it is only the temptation to value that power for itself which offends. One does not say " cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? " unless repeated pruning's have convinced the gardener that the growth must always be a rank one. " If thou hand offend thee, cut it off " is the scream of a weakling. If one killed a dog the first time it misbehaved itself, not many would pass the stage of puppy hood. The best vow and the most universal application is the vow of Holly Obedience: for not only does it lead to perfect freedom, but is a training in that Surrender (*1) which is the last task. It has thus great value, that it never gets rusty. If the Superior to whom the vow is taken knows his business, he/she will quickly detect which things are really displeasing to his/her pupil & familiarize him/her w/them. Disobedience to the Superior is a constant between those two wills in the inferior.The will expressed in his vow, which is the will linked to his highest

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will by the fact that he has taken it in order to develop that highest will, contends w/ the temporary will, which is based only on temporary considerations. The teacher should then seek gently & firmly to key up the pupil. little by little until obedience follows command w/out reference to what that command may be. As Loyola wrote " perinde eir cadaver" it is always something to pluck up the weeds, but the flower itself will grow naturally w/great freedom. But it, is not only necessary to purify the temple itself & concentrate it, invocations must be made. Hence it is necessary to be constantly doing things of a positive, not merely of a negative nature to affirm that will. Renunciation & sacrifice are necessary, but thy are comparatively easy. There are a hundred ways of missing & only one way of hitting. To avoid eating beef is easy, but to eat nothing but pork is very difficult. Master Thereon himself, the greatest preacher of all free magical will, places such a high value on obiedeince. In these modern times marked by democratic & even anti-authoritarian ideas, it's a pretty touchy subject. It can not be denied that Crowley as a person wasn't exactly the best example for the exemplary embodiment of the principles of command & obedience. (*1) To surrender all, one must give up not only the bad , but also the good; not only weakness but strength. How can the Mystic surrender all, while still clinging to ones virtues? It has become fashionable to counter every kind of compulsion w/ suspicion, w/ saying " stay cool " as the motto, & there's no place for self restraint, & oscetisim. It is necessary to create a counter balance to the rigid ascetic & self chastising ideas of Christianity misunderstood that even today modern magic still lifts its ugly Gorgorts head, for the magician who works independently & self sufficiently, the obedience that's meant here refers to the

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obiedeince of one's own oath. To prevent a rosebush from rotting, drying up, and dying off it has to be intentionally trimmed from time to time. Although it may hurt, it will prevent worse from happening. When you take a magical oath and this is something that you most certainly should do at least a few times in your magical career- keep in mind that although your binding yourself in a sense, on the other hand it will enable you to accomplish much greater things than the mere satisfaction of your temporary state of comfort. A magician must build all that he has into his pyramid: and if that pyramid is to touch the stars, how broad must be the base ? There is no knowledge or power that is useless to the magician. One might almost say there is no scrap of material in the whole universe w/ which he/she can dispense. His/her ultimate enemy is the great magician, the magician who created the whole illusion of the universe; and meet him in battle,so that nothing is left either of him or of yourself, you must be exactly equal to him. At the same time let the magician never forget that every brick must tend to the summit of the pyramid: the sides most be perfectly smooth,; there must be no false summits, even in the lowest layers. This is the Practical & active form of that obligation of a Master Of The Temple in which it is said " I will interpret every phenomenon as a particular dealing of God w/ my soul." The statement that the Probationer can resign when he/she chose is in truth only for those who have taken the oath superficially. A real magical oath CAN NOT BE BROKEN; you think it can but it can not. This is the real advantage of a magical oath. However far you go around, you arrive at the end just the same, all you have done by attempting to break your oath is to involve yourself in the

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most frightful trouble. It cannot be too clearly understood that such is the nature of things; it does not depend upon the will of any person, however powerful or exalted, nor can their force, the force of their greater oaths avail against the weakest oath of the most trivial of beginners A:.A:. It is therefore good practice to view the magical oath in a functional way. An oath is more than just a resolution intention - it's a voluntary bonding. So only bond yourself where you really want to be. For example , you could start w/a smaller " oath " to do your magical training exercises regularly in the next month regardless of what external factors of resistance may arise. Making oaths ( and of course keeping them ) is a useful exercise to strengthen your will power that can improve your own interpretation & subtle energy perception, since these automatically sharpen considerably through the required alertness, and soon you'll begin to observe how the whole universe is helping you w/ your Great Work, just as soon as you've set the first truly serious impulse yourself. Of course you should avoid " oath infatuation". Use this powerful magical tool carefully & you'll surely be able to enjoy it's tremendous advantages. But it's the truly serious oaths that will have a long lasting, deep impact that can change your entire life. The above passage quoted from Crowley contain an example that has mean while become quite popular. Whoever endeavors to take the magical oath MASTER OF THE TEMPLE in his order ( A:.A:. ) was immediately promoted from grade of neophyte, right up to the highest grade - but as mentioned, such oaths can be quite dangerous & should be thought over very carefully.

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What Schiilechoux means in my sacred language

By: Qnuan

Have you ever been in a perfect moment, lost in music, fantasy or spiritual thought like it feels as if youre dying/resting in the bosom of God/dess? Or perhaps youre doing something very important like at long last solving an issue, which you have been procrastinating. Or perhaps youre drifting somewhere in thought in nature; or maybe youre performing a very dear and special ritual. When someone then breaks your concentration or snaps you out of your happy or content state of mind, it sometimes happens that you lose your temper. Whether you display your objection or not of being unceremoniously interrupted, that spiritual feeling seems smudged and irretrievable afterwards. This then the warning and loose translation of schiilechoux Be careful when youre dieing in the bosom of God, because death despises that kind of living. qq_0054 The full sentence is: Qzt cinn nutraza`nu, wl voux mark schiilechoux.

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Yule Herbs
By: Andrew Sun plants like Mistletoe, Balsam, and Fir, and also any dried herbs from Summer, are predominant this time of year because they contain light and warmth. On Yule, when Witches decorate their houses, they do so from the doorway inward, thus inviting the light inside. We adorn doorways and mantles with evergreen boughs, bunches of dried summer herbs and Witches cords in reds, blacks, greens, and golds. Our ancient ancestors brought an evergreen tree inside to mystically ensure there would be light all year round. The evergreen retains sunlight, staying green all year, and reminds us that life is forever present and renewable. Other Yule herbs, plants, flowers and seeds:

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holly, mistletoe, pine cones, pine needles, oak leaves, Yule log ashes, fir, birch, hazel bark, sandalwood, ivy, comfrey, elder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, chamomile, sunflower, frankincense, myrrh, wintergreen, apple leaf, dried apple

Sacred plants of the Winter Solstice

HOLLY Symbolizing: Old Solar Year; Waning Sun; Protection; Good Luck Forms: boughs over portals, wreaths Divinities: Holly King; Old Nick; Saturn; Bacchus; Wood Spirits; Holly Boys Traditions: Roman, Celtic, English, Christian MISTLETOE Symbolizing: Peace, Prosperity, Healing, Wellness, Fertility, Rest, Protection Forms: boughs, amulet sprigs above doorways, kissing balls Divinities: Oak Spirit; Frigga and Balder Traditions: Celtic, Teutonic IVY Symbolizing: Fidelity, Protection, Healing, Marriage, Victory, Honor, Good Luck Forms: crowns, wreaths, garlands Divinities: Dionysius; Bacchus; Great Goddess; Ivy Girls Traditions: Greek, Roman, English, Christian

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FRANKINCENSE Symbolizing: Sun, Purification, Consecration, Protection, Spiritual Illumination Forms: incense, oils Divinities: Sun Gods, Ra at Dawn, Bel Traditions: Babalyonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Jewish, Greek, Roman, Christian MYRRH Symbolizing: Healing, Death and Afterlife, Purification, Inner Peace Forms: incense, oils Divinities: Isis, Ra at Midday Traditions: Egyptian, Jewish, Christian WHEAT Symbolizing: Sustenance, Abundance, Fertility, Good Luck Forms: grain, straw figures and symbols, cookies, cakes, breads Divinities: Earth Goddesses; Saturn & Ops; Goat Spirit; Fairy Folk Traditions: Roman, Celtic, Scots, Teutonic, Sweedish, Christian

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Dear Santa...
You must be surprised that I'm writing to you today, the 26th of December. Well, I would very much like to clear up certain things that have occurred since the beginning of the month, filled with illusion, I wrote you my letter. I asked for a bicycle, an electric train set, a pair of rollerblades, and a football uniform. I destroyed my brain studying the whole year. Not only was I the first in my class, but I had the best grades in the whole school. I'm not going to lie to you, there was no one in my entire neighborhood that behaved better than me, with my parents, my brothers, my friends, and with my neighbors. I would go on errands, and even help the elderly cross the street. There was virtually nothing within reach that I would not do for humanity. What balls do you have leaving me a fucking yo-yo, a stupid whistle and a pair of socks? What the fuck were you thinking, you fat son of a bitch, that you've taken me for a sucker the whole fucking year to come out with some shit like this under the tree. As if you hadn't fucked me enough, you gave that little faggot across the street so many toys that he can't even walk into his house. Please don't let me see you trying to fit your big fat ass down my chimney next year. I'll fuck you up. I'll throw rocks at those stupid reindeer and scare them away so you'll

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have to walk back to the fucking North Pole, just like what I have to do now since you didn't get me that fucking bike. FUCK YOU SANTA. Next year you'll find out how bad I can be, you FAT-SON-OF-A-BITCH. Sincerely, Little Johnny

How to Tell if You're a Grinch

This is the second of the essential personality tests to prepare you misfit readers for your New Year's resolutions: 1. You reuse last year's Christmas cards and send them out under your own name (5 points). 2. You steal light bulbs from you neighbor's outdoor display to replenish your own supply (5 points, 10 if neighbor's whole light sets or lighted Santa goes out). 3. You have dressed a dog or cat as Santa Claus, elf helper, or reindeer (10 points for each; if you dressed an endangered species, 5 extra points). 4. You put out last year's stale candy canes for children (1 point for each piece of sticky candy). If you put out a chocolate or marzipan Santa also, add 10 points. 5. You enclose a shoddy and inferior gift from Target, Wal-Mart, or Kmart in a Bloomingdale's or other prestige box to impress your friends (5 points for

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each infraction). 6. You make collect long distance phone calls to your family on Christmas day (5 points, 10 if from a cell phone), claiming you are stuck in a phone booth.. 7. At the office Christmas party, you horde huge stockpiles of goodies for later consumption at home (5 points; 15 points if you use this stuff for your own party). 8. You steal the wreath from a parked car to use on your own (Southern California only, others ignore: 5 points -- nobody but Angelenos are dumb enough to dress a car). 9. After an invitation to a friend's house, you bring a commercially produced fruitcake and try to pass it off as home made (5 points; 15 points if the fruitcake is from last year). 10. Any stealing from the Toys-for-Tots collection bins is a definite no-no (20 points). Evaluate your score on the "Grinch Scale" from 20 to 100. 20-30: You are just a cheeseball. 30-50: You are an apprentice in Yuletide larceny and are probably wanted by the police for overdue parking tickets. 50-100: Grinch, move over. The Meyer Lansky of Christmas crime has arrived.

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!!!A VERY SPECIAL THANKSGIVING IS HERE!!! By: Richard

IT IS TIME TO GIVE THANKS EACH AND EVERY DAY FOR BEING ALIVE AND ALL ALONG THE WAY TO EACH SPECIAL BLESSING FROM PERSONS WE MEET THAT MAKE LIFE A BIT BRIGHTER AND OH SO SWEET LET THE BEAUTY BEFORE US FIND ITS WAY INSIDE AS DOWN THE VARIED PATHS WE GLADLY DO STRIDE EACH AND EVERY MORNING BE SURE TO LOOK IN A MIRROR AT YOUR BEAUTY BE NOT MISTOOK FOR IN THAT REFLECTION IS ONLY A SMALL GLIMMER OF THE BEING INSIDE WHO'S LIGHT DOES SHIMMER

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SHARE THE LOVE THE PEACE AND THE JOY WHETHER ON THE OUTSIDE A GIRL OR A BOY YOU ARE MORE GLORIOUS THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS A CHILD OF THE SOURCE OF ALL LET NONE REPRESS THE GATHERING, THE QUICKENING, THE AWAKENING IS HERE SHOUT IT OUT LOUD WITHOUT ANY FEAR GRASP EACH NEW MOMENT AND SHAPE WHAT YOU WILL WHEN YOU BECOME BORED THAN MAKE IT A THRILL GREET EACH NEW PERSON WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR HEART FOR THIS IS THE BEST OF ALL PLACES TO FIND A NEW START! Written by Richard explicitly for this months edition let us begin a new and start a tradition LOL All rights received except where explicitly granted. May your Thanksgiving/Solar Eclipse/New Moon be a fantastic one and may all fall into place before Mercury goes retrograde and we all get misplaced LOL

What most I do to prove my love

By: Andrew What most I do to prove my love, Crawl upon my hands and knees, And pour my heart for all to see, Id give you my all, Heart and soul, Even my very last breath, Just to know that I am only yours,

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Must I bring heaven to its knees, For you I would do this or die trying, Id give you the world, The stars and moon, If I could, But all I can truly do is give you my love unconditional And true, I will do this and so much more for you, I would raise you up and place you on high, Id stand by your side for all of time, As a lover and a friend, Id give my life without thought or worry, For that is how much I love you!!!

A Midnight Promenade
By: Andrew

A midnight promenade, Set in an exotic tryst, As to lovers meet, In an enchanting dance, That burns with such eroticism, With each passionate touch, They lose them selves in ecstasy, Time seems to stand still, With each pleasuring touch, And each sensual kiss,

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There bodies start to quiver, As they reach the point of no return, They are consumed in a state of bliss, As they reach a glorious rapture, That was full of sensual desire, Set in an enchanting tryst, That they will remember for all of time.

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by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

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In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

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And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

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How to Celebrate Holidays As a Pagan Around Non Pagans

by Persephone

Being Pagan can be tough sometimes, Esbats aren't usually a problem, but

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things can get dicey around times of the year when other religious holy days happen to coincide with Sabbats. Although Pagan religions are currently the fastest growing group of religions in the west, it still has Judeo-Christian religions to contend with, whose presence and practices have been entrenched in western culture and life. The purpose of this is to show respecting the differing religious beliefs and practices of others in your life. Note: In this context the term "Pagan" is used in it's most recognized western form: to signify nature-based religions and people of those religions who celebrate Sabbats such as Lughnasadh, Mabon, Ostara, Imbolc, Yule, Samhain, Beltane, Litha, or Equinoxes. In this text, "Pagan" refers to Wicca, Paganism, Neopaganism, Celtic Paganism, Celtic Polytheism, Asatru, Germanic Paganism, Druidism, Stregheria and their practitioners. Make your personal space a Pagan haven. 1. Your own space is your sanctuary. If you live on your own or with other Pagans then you can do up your house with all the trappings and spirit of the holiday. Decorate and fill your living area with all the trimmings that mean something special to you and make you proud and happy to be Pagan at this time of the year. If you live with non-pagans, decorate your own room, or your part of the room festively. It is your space, and any time you feel downtrodden or upset, retreat to your space and surround yourself with happy feelings. Use the area to remind yourself that your religion is just as valid and special as others and carry that joy around with you. It's easier to deal with Nativities or Menorahs at the grocery if you know you have your Yule tree waiting to greet you at home. 2. Do not apologize for your beliefs or Sabbats. You have as equal a right to celebrate the holidays of your religion as anyone else does to celebrate theirs. If others are curious, or attacking the Sabbat at hand, explain that this is your religion, and it is as valid as theirs [or in the case of

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Agnostics and Atheists- as valid as their right to have no religion]. 3. Most holidays are joyous events, you can enjoy any party, regardless of the religion involved. If you are going to an event with another holiday as it's central theme, celebrate as cheerfully as you would at your own religion's party. Remember, "When in Rome..." You don't have to be Christian to sing Jingle Bells with your in-laws, or let your kids hunt Easter eggs at a friend's house. Going with the flow makes things easier when not on the home front. In turn you can invite people to your home and show them a good time, Pagan holiday style- while possibly fostering acceptance and respect for your beliefs. 4. Try and see any similarities that can help blend together the festivities. For instance, on Ostara/Spring or Vernal Equinox the visual symbols are quite similar to those of the more openly celebrated Easter. Luckily, the ancient symbols of fertility and creation [Rabbit and egg, respectively] translated into this modern holiday. Only you need to know that in your home the bunny has a deeper meaning than candy egg delivery man. At Yule you can send holiday greeting cards with Deer or tree themes as those relate close enough to both the Deer God/Yule tree and Reindeer/Christmas tree. If those you are sending cards to are Jewish, simple but elegant cards with white, silver and blue colors can symbolize the Winter Solstice for you and Hanukkah for them. Samhain is easiest as it has survived most traditionally intact. Although it can require a good sense of humor to not scream and rant about all the horrible images of warty green women. 5. Celebrate the deeper spiritual meanings of holidays at home and lighter traditions openly. Religion is deeply personal, so it should make things easier to keep meaningful parts at home than trying to set up a full scale Mabon altar in your cubicle at work. Wearing certain corresponding colors, or jewelry on the Sabbat can make you feel more fulfilled and less like you have something to "hide". You can be proud without shoving it down others' throats, or welcoming undue ridicule or questioning in an inappropriate setting. Remember that you are not

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trying to convert anyone, just celebrate your holiday. In an ideal world people would respect and tolerate every aspect of one another, unfortunately this is not the case in our world. Pagan religions are often misunderstood and as a general rule people fear and despise what they do not understand. It is good to be proud of your religion, but do not put yourself in danger. If you do not feel safe in a situation, leave it, or better, try to avoid situations where you could be in danger. As above, misunderstandings can have negative reactions. It can be especially hard on children who do not yet know how the world can be. If you are raising your children pagan, explain to them at an early age to always tolerate and respect other religions. Let them know that others may not always show them the same respect, and teach them how to deal with harassment or teasing.
http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Holidays-As-a-Pagan-Around-Non-Pagans

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Black Friday Madness

Is it just me or is it on Black Friday everyone just seems to forget all sense of

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being civil almost reverting to being primal and barbaric trying to get to the best deals on items they want, pushing, scratching and almost fighting to get the item they want. Who needs paper view or tickets to a MMA event when once a year we get it for free at any of your local retail store's. I don't really see the hype nor any real deals and for any true shopper we all know the best deals are the week before christmas and actually on Cyber Monday were you don't have to wait in line with a mob that is ready to do what ever to get to the best deal or the item they want that the store as intentionally only put so many out so that on the next day they can put it back on the self at the same price. Where did the term Black Friday come from? The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Use of the term started before 1966 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975. Later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black". For many years, it was common for retailers to open at 6:00, but in the late 2000s, many had crept to 5:00 or even 4:00. This was taken to a new extreme in 2011, when several retailers (including Target, Kohls, Macy's, Best Buy, and Bealls) opened at midnight for the first time. An online petition with more than 200,000 virtual signatures is aimed at asking Target not to open so early. Walmart opened at 10:00 pm on Thanksgiving and Toys 'R' Us at 9:00 pm. In 2010, Sears was open on Thanksgiving Day. Origin of the term Black Friday as a term has been used in multiple contexts, going back to the nineteenth century, where it was associated with a financial crisis in 1869 in the United States. The earliest known reference to "Black Friday" to refer to the day after Thanksgiving was made in a 1966 publication on the day's

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significance in Philadelphia: JANUARY 1966 -- "Black Friday" is the name which the Philadelphia Police Department has given to the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. It is not a term of endearment to them. "Black Friday" officially opens the Christmas shopping season in center city, and it usually brings massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks as the downtown stores are mobbed from opening to closing. The term Black Friday began to get wider exposure around 1975, as shown by two newspaper articles from November 29, 1975, both datelined Philadelphia. The first reference is in an article entitled "Army vs. Navy: A Dimming Splendor," in The New York Times: Philadelphia police and bus drivers call it "Black Friday" - that day each year between Thanksgiving Day and the ArmyNavy Game. It is the busiest shopping and traffic day of the year in the Bicentennial City as the Christmas list is checked off and the Eastern college football season nears conclusion. The derivation is also clear in an Associated Press article entitled "Folks on Buying Spree Despite Down Economy," which ran in the Titusville Herald on the same day: Store aisles were jammed. Escalators were nonstop people. It was the first day of the Christmas shopping season and despite the economy, folks here went on a buying spree. ... "That's why the bus drivers and cab drivers call today 'Black Friday,'" a sales manager at Gimbels said as she watched a traffic cop trying to control a crowd of jaywalkers. "They think in terms of headaches it gives them." The term's spread was gradual, however, and in 1985 the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that retailers in Cincinnati and Los Angeles were still unaware of the term.

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As this year comes to an end and the holiday season is upon us I think of all those that will be celebrating the holidays and how many are worried about the year to come or how they are going to get by and make this holiday season a special one for their families. There use to be a time when the holiday season was about families getting together and having dinner and spending it with all there loved one's, now it is more about the giving presents and spending shorter time with our loved one's. The best present we can give is the one true gift that has more value and will last a life time and that is our love spending that time with the ones we love, having dinner and setting around sharing stories of all the good times and of all the ones to come. Sometimes we forget that it is the simplest of things that have the most impact on our lives and that will be remembered for the rest of our lives.

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This time of year is about giving and sharing, about peace and harmony so let us not stress or make it about what we don't have but what we do and that is our families and loved ones and our hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. Let that be our motto this holiday season and let us show that no matter how hard the times are we will make the best of it and make it a memorable one that we will remember for a life time. When was the last time you went christmas caroling or went out and played in the snow and coming back in to have hot choccolet and eggnog by the fire with your family and friends. There is so many things we can do that will make this years holidays fun and one that you and your families will remember for the rest of your lives. I wish you all a happy and wonderful holidays!!!

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Immortals

Immortals is the story of Theseus (Henry Cavill), a peasant who may be humanity's only hope against the mad King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), who has declared war on not only mankind, but on the gods he detests for not intervening when he and his people needed them most. Ancient law states that the gods cannot intervene with the affairs of humans, unless the Titans have been awakened to wreak havoc on Earth. Hyperion's plan is to acquire the powerful Epirus bow, the only weapon powerful enough to break the Titans free from their prison, so that he can force the gods into a confrontation. After having his mother

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and entire village slaughtered by Hyperion, Theseus makes it his sole purpose in life to kill the evil king. Unbeknownst to Theseus, he has been receiving tutelage from Zeus (Luke Evans) for his entire life in the guise of an old man (played by John Hurt) should this dark situation ever arise. He is also aided on his quest by Phaedra (Freida Pinto), a beautiful Oracle who has foreseen Theseus' importance to the outcome of this event, and wants to make sure he stays on the right path, and Stavros (Stephen Dorff), a thief who joins Theseus' cause and proves to be a loyal ally. While the trailers and marketing for Immortals might make it resemble another 300, it's clear within the film's opening moments that it isn't much like Zack Snyder's film at all. While Snyder's vision for 300 was based on recreating the look and feel of Frank Miller's gritty, high-contrast graphic novel, Tarsem's approach to the visuals in Immortals is steeped in the grandeur of Baroque high-art, with artists such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt as his inspiration. The results are truly outstanding. Baroque art can convey the drama and chaos of a famous historical scene in a single image, and Tarsem manages to capture that exact essence here with his and his director of photography's masterful shot composition and incredible lighting techniques. Tarsem also uses slow-motion in many of his action scenes, which further gives us the impression of witnessing a moving painting, and also lets us soak in the immensity of what is taking place on screen. Less successful is the film's use of post-converted 3D. While the effect works well on some occasions, there are a few scenes that are rendered too dark to be truly effective in 3D. While it never plumbs the depths of the Fright Night remake's terribly murky 3D presentation, the film would've looked even more impressive with a brighter and more vibrant presentation that allowed us to clearly see all of the incredible detail. As Henry Cavill's first big role since being announced as the next Superman, the actor proves himself a true movie star in the making (something that fans of Cavill on the show The Tudors have probably known for a while). There is an earnestness and sincerity to his performance that makes him a likable screen presence, something that could have been lost had the film regressed into typical macho epic movie grandstanding. He's physical

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and fierce, without resorting to steroids and catchphrases. Mickey Rourke plays King Hyperion as a man with a vengeance-filled heart. He is able to convey a sense of sadness and anger at the same time, something he has proven very effective at in the years following his role in Sin City. He has a sense of gravitas, which gives the build up leading to Theseus' battle with Hyperion extra weight, and also makes its outcome more emotionally satisfying. Freida Pinto does well with what she has, though her character seems to disappear for much of the third act, and it's always good to see Stephen Dorff on the big screen. gods -- played by the aforementioned Evans as Zeus, Isabel Lucas as Athena, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon, Daniel Sharman as Ares and Steve Byers as Heracles -- all get their moment to shine, despite spending the majority of the film looking down at Earth from Mount Olympus. They definitely don't disappoint though, nearly stealing the film with an explosive, slow-motion ass-kicking that results in dozens of slow-motion exploding heads and limbs. It's to Tarsem's credit that every time the film breaks out into hardcore action like this, it still manages to keep its beautiful artistry intact. With Immortals, Tarsem has created a beautiful and sumptuous mythological epic with visual strengths that far outweigh the weaknesses of its fairly standard script. While that kind of approach might not jibe with everyone, those who are open to this kind of visual storytelling will feel like they've stepped into a living, breathing work of art.

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Pile of Priests

For all you fans of death metal you will love Pile of Priest some of the freshest deep dark Death Metal that is out there and with there new album Unholy Death released in October is sure to leave you wanting more. There music is entrancing and filled with some awesome instrumental's that will carry you to deepest parts of the abyss and fill you with eternal thirst...

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Do stop by there Face Book page and give them support and you will come to find that they value there fans and will respond to your post also please take the time on December 1st through the 10th to vote for them at
http://projectindependent.net/

Hometown: Englewood, CO Genres: Metal / Thrash Metal / Death Metal Members: Evan-Guitar/Vocals, Sean-Drums, Patrick-Bass We are the mighty Pile of Priests!!! Death/ Thrash metal from Denver, Colorado! We formed in October of 2009 and released our 5 song Demo "Burn" shortly after. We've toured around the western USA to venues like the world famous Whisky A-Go-Go on the Sunset Strip, California, to the Gothic Theater right here in Denver. Be sure to pick up our NEW EP "Unholy Death" which is now available along with NEW T-SHIRTS!!! For merchandise just send us an e-mail and LIKE US on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pile-of-Priests/125631597474925?ref=ts ,also check us out on Youtube!! Our Demo "Burn" is currently for sale on our Reverbnation page, and our New EP can also be purchased on CDBaby and itunes. Current line: Evan - Guitars/Vocals Patrick - Bass

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Sean - Drums You can perches there new album here

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pileofpriests

Up Coming Tours To catch there last shows and up coming shows please check out there face Book page

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The Necromantic Ritual Book

By: Leilah Wendell

This book as gotten some media attention this month and one that was so taking out of context and made out to be something of pure evil and satanic. I definitely want to set the record straight on this. First off it does not nor speak of satanic rites and practices and by no means is a book of evil or good for it is the intent of the magician that makes an act positive or negative not the book or teachings! This books take on on a journey into the world of shadow and death which is apart of our everyday life,

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but one that many hold fears of. And we should have no fears of any sort, for to give way to fear is to give it power over us and in a sense we become slaves to that fear. The beginning of this book talks about knowing our selves and delving deeper into our selves and opening our selves to what we are suppose to be and that is free from all fears and masters of ourselves and all that is around us, for too many put a divide between light/dark when the truth is we are of both and we were born of both. As above so below and we must have connection between both and understanding of both. For me this book was a very good read, definitely not for everyone but it does give you a lot to think on and it is easy to follow and understand, All I can say don't judge a book by it's cover or what the media or others say, check it out and read it for your self and always keep an open mind and you will learn so much more and find what others can not see within the book. I give this book 3 1/2 stars and is a good one to have in your collection.

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Cashew Nut Roast with Sage and onion stuffing

A sixth of a cup/30g/1oz of vegan margarine 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped 1 medium leek, finely chopped 1 and a half cups of hot water 1 teaspoon of yeast extract (marmite, vegemite etc.) 3 cups/550g/16oz of ground cashew nuts (or other nuts of your choice - almonds work well too) 2 Tablespoons of soya flour 2 teaspoons of fresh herbs - winter savory is great (if using dried 1 teaspoon) 3 cups/160g/6oz of white bread crumbs seasalt and pepper to taste sage and onion stuffing (see recipe further down)

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Melt the margarine (in a large pan for mixing) and cook the celery and leek in it for a few minutes. Mix the yeast extract into the hot water (alternatively you could use any stock you like) and add this to the leek and celery. Stir in the soya flour, nuts, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper and mix well. Allow to cool slightly while you grease a loaf tin. Place half the nut roast mixture in the tin and press down well - then add the sage and onion stuffing (pressing down well again) and place the rest of the nut roast mixture on top. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180/360 then turn out of the tin and slice. Nice served with all the traditional trimmings. Variations:- you can substitute wine (red or white) or soya milk for the water and yeast extract. The sage and onion stuffing is optional - it works just as well without it and might actually slice up easier! A layer of sliced mushrooms and garlic is an alternative to the stuffing. Pictured roast is made with red onion and lots of fresh rosemary.

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Sage and Onion Roast Potatoes

4 teaspoons of dried sage or 8 teaspoons of freshly chopped sage 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil 1 finely chopped onion 4 tablespoons of medium oatmeal Potatoes, peeled and cut to desired size (this coating is enough for about 4 or 5 lbs/2 or 3 kilos.) salt to taste Par boil the potatoes then just when they are beginning to soften remove from heat and drain. Place in baking tray and rub the coating all over them (careful!) - roast in a hot oven until nice and crispy (30 minutes plus). You might want to baste with a little more oil half way through for extra crispiness! Variation: sesame roast potatoes - coat the potatoes in sunflower oil and plenty sesame seeds before roasting - this has a lovely flavour too. Pictured are plain roast pots coated in flour prior to roasting and the oil heated in a hot oven first and also roast parsnips and peppers roasted in a mixture of sunflower oil and maple syrup.

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Duck Breasts with Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients 4 duck breast halves 2 teaspoons sea salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 teaspoons demerara sugar 1/2 cup red wine 1/4 cup creme de cassis liqueur 1 teaspoon cornstarch 4 ounces raspberries Directions 1. Preheat oven on broiler setting. Use a fork to score the duck breasts through the skin and fat but not all the way through to the meat. 2. Heat a large heavy skillet on medium high. Fry the duck breasts skin side down, until the skin browns and fat runs out, about 10 minutes. Remove the breasts from the pan, and pour off most of the fat. Return breasts to pan, and fry skin side up for another 10 minutes. Remove breasts from pan, and allow to rest on a baking sheet. Mix the sea salt, cinnamon and Demerara sugar together and sprinkle over the skin of the duck breasts. Pour most of the fat out of the frying pan. 3. Mix together the red wine, cassis, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour into the pan, and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Add raspberries, and simmer for another minute until heated through. 4. Broil the duck breasts skin side up, until the sugar begins to caramelize,

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about 1 minute. Slice the duck breasts thinly, pour a little sauce over the top, and serve warm. Nutritional Information Duck Breasts with Raspberry Sauce Servings Per Recipe: 4 Amount Per Serving Calories: 218 Total Fat: 3.8g Cholesterol: 64mg Sodium: 930mg Total Carbs: 15.2g Dietary Fiber: 2.5g Protein: 16.8g

Royal Raspberry Cheesecake

Ingredients CRUST: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel 6 tablespoons butter 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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FILLING: 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup milk RASPBERRY SAUCE: 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed and crushed 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 cup black or red currant jelly TOPPING: 3 cups fresh or frozen whole raspberries

Directions 1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and lemon peel. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in egg yolk and vanilla. Pat 1/3 of mixture on the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with the sides removed. Bake at 400* for 7 minutes or until golden; cool. Attach the sides of the pan; pat remaining crust mixture 1-3/4 in up the sides. Set aside. for filling, beat cream cheese, lemon peel and vanilla until fluffy. Combine sugar, flour and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating well. Add eggs and yolk; beat

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at a low speed just until combined. Stir in milk. Pour into crust. Place on a shallow baking pan in oven. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until center appears set. Cool for 15 minutes. Loosen sides of cheesecake from pan with a spatula; cool 30 minutes. Remove sides of pan; cool 1-2 hours longer. Chill thoroughly. Meanwhile, for sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Remove from heat; strain to remove berry seeds. Cool. Just before serving, top cheesecake with sauce and whole berries.

Eggnog

Ingredients 1 quart milk 1 pint heavy cream 12 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pint whiskey 12 egg whites 1 cup white sugar 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions 1. In a large bowl, blend the milk, cream, egg yolks, vanilla and whiskey using a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip

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egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in the sugar while continuing to whip until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, and pour into a punch bowl or large pitcher. Serve in mugs or cups garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Footnotes Editor's notes This recipe contains raw eggs. We recommend that pregnant women, young children, the elderly and the infirm do not consume raw eggs.Important: be sure to use only fresh eggs for this recipe. You may pasteurize your yolks and whites by heating them in separate bowls over a pan of simmering water. Stir constantly until the egg yolks or whites reach a temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Adding a little sugar to each one can help prevent them from 'scrambling' as quickly. Proceed as directed with the recipe. Warm egg whites actually whip more quickly. Nutritional Information Eggnog Servings Per Recipe: 10 Amount Per Serving Calories: 493 Total Fat: 24.9g Cholesterol: 319mg Sodium: 134mg Total Carbs: 27.1g Dietary Fiber: 0g Protein: 11.7g

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Featured Articles The Little People and Nature Spirits

The is an introduction to nature forces the nature spirit realm and my experiences of encountering them. Since experiencing my spiritual awakening I have had many direct encounters with nature spirits as have many whom have made the mistake of wandering around in the woods with me on guided awareness walks when I was doing this. Past lives & Incarnations as a Nature Spirit

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It turns out that I have in my past history spent time as many different nature spirits living in that dimensional realm. Ive had times living as the smallest fairy right through to Pan and almost everything in between. Whenever I go out into the woods I am surrounded by a multitude of nature spirits whom consider me to be their friend as they recognise my energy from the times I spent in this other realm. As they treat me as an honorary nature spirit while I am in their space with them then my heritage is not a surprise. Its great fun, and a reminder to myself that my and every ones multidimensional nature is indeed vast. Many people it seems have been Nature Spirits too As part of these awareness walks we would establish a communication line to spirit and the beings around us. In getting people to ask questions, many found that they had experienced being a nature spirit in that realm. Others found that they had been an angel, rarely however had someone experienced both of these in their history. As a scientist by background then this ability to access other dimensions came as quite a shock, perhaps more of a shock to my colleagues at the university where I worked than me when this started to happen. As I am impeccably honest and known for being completely straight then the general attitude was one of rising panic. Because if I was talking about these things from first hand experience and would not make anything up then perhaps my extended view of reality is more encompassing than theirs. Entirely true. Belief in Nature Spirits or Elementals Oh, and just to make myself perfectly clear . . . . . I DO NOT BELIEVE IN NATURE SPIRITS

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In the same way that I do not believe in my mother; she exists and I can talk to her as well as I can some friends and colleagues in other realms. Belief is only required when experience is lacking. I now hold to as few beliefs as possible about anything, they are for me a complete and utter waste of time and only hold to keep you from experiencing reality as it really is. For dimensionally challenged scientists everywhere; this is my stance. I am not lacking, dysfunctional or disorientated you are. So, at least half the people who come to my communication workshops find that they have had incarnations in the nature spirit realm. To use the word incarnation here is probably not adequate to describe this type of life experience. It is possibly better to say that we chose to place part of our subtle energy consciousness there to experience what it offers.

Past Life and connections with other Realms will remind you of themselves For people with STRONG connections to their nature spirit lives whom lets say identified with or REALLY enjoyed these times then this will result in them experiencing nature spirit reminders here. This will range from reading books about them to actually feeling presences or having direct contact with nature spirits in some form. This is particularly the case when you live somewhere that is close to an area that has nature spirits some or ALL of whom YOU ACTUALLY KNOW AS FRIENDS. So, you can find yourself attracting your friends and have them trying all sorts of things to make YOU aware of them. As the nature realm resonates very closely to ours then it is easier to have contact with these beings compared to most others.

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It is also true to say that our actions here on earth have more of a direct effect on this realm than any other. The reverse is of course also true. Hence we have had, are having and will continue to have stronger direct links with them than with other Beings while we have our attention focused here.

The Little People and Nature Spirits, Part two

Relationships between Nature Spirits or Devas

You will notice as you read the articles presented here that I do not often try and explain relationships between nature devas and so on. Nor do I discuss evolutionary pathways. I see many explanations which not only contradict each other but also my own direct experience. You have to ask where is this information coming from, on whos authority, with what agenda and what awareness.

Think of it this way! Ask yourself if you where approached by a nature deva and asked to give an explanation of human evolution in terms of physical, emotional, mental and or spiritual awareness or relationships would you be able to give an explanation which would be better than say 20% accurate with regard to the all encompassing larger picture. I suggest you could not do this and I also suggest that 20% is optimistic and that it will be more like 5% accurate for most people.

Why then are explanations leapt upon when given from beyond and held to as

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if they are the truth. Irrespective of what intention is behind any encounter they can only be taken as the best available under certain conditions.

At the end of the day we have much to learn. We can choose to make this learning curve faster by continuing to hold an open mind and by being willing to let go of what we already think is the truth . . . or not!

Attitudes that discourage or eradicate knowledge The more you cling to what you think is true the less you will attract or even see what is beyond this and the more you will interpret what you are presented with in terms of your current limited understandings. The sad things is that some scientists have decided that their assumptions of how reality works is correct and therefore label what falls outside of these limited and irrational boundaries as a product of psychosis or delusion. This type of bigoted never mind insulting attitude sort of results in them having less and less data presented to them to remind them that perhaps the delusions are THERE OWN as whom is even going to admit to having such encounters? I know lots of people whom have had some weird encounters or experiences but with no climate of openness or acceptance but rather the opposite these experiences are kept hidden . . . . . As it is a scientists job (at least you would imagine so) to collect the broadest range of data, then perhaps they can explain how creating a climate that limits the presentation of data is in anyway conducive to understanding reality in a larger sense? Thats truly delusional and actually irrational if you ask me.

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Where to find Spirits of Nature Most of the encounters written about here are from my time living in the UK. At that time, I used to hold guided awareness walks and was able to give nine out of ten people some access to this realm. Nature spirits by and large are more common in fully naturalized areas or places that are well looked after / loved; that is, they are rubbish and pollution free. I was fortunate enough to live close to a woodlands trust wood which was (and I hear still is) an absolutely magic place teaming with little people.

For all pages about Nature Spirits; Nature Spirits & Devas. To try and get in touch with Nature Spirits yourself then work with our exercise; Engaging with Nature Spirits (http://www.realitywalker.com/?page_id=26). or spirit guides then read Contacting spirit guides and friends (http://www.realitywalker.com/?page_id=27). I will leave you now to enjoy some of my nature spirit encounters and limited explanations.

Why I am a Pagan Part one

Zitkala-Sa. "Why I Am a Pagan." Atlantic Monthly 90 (1902): 801-803. WHEN the spirit swells my breast I love to roam leisurely among the green hills; or sometimes, sitting on the brink of the murmuring Missouri, I marvel at the great blue overhead. With half closed eyes I watch the huge cloud shadows in their noiseless play upon the high bluffs opposite me, while into my ear ripple the sweet, soft cadences of the river's song. Folded hands lie in my

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lap, for the time forgot. My heart and I lie small upon the earth like a grain of throbbing sand. Drifting clouds and tinkling waters, together with the warmth of a genial summer day, bespeak with eloquence the loving Mystery round about us. During the idle while I sat upon the sunny river brink, I grew somewhat, though my response be not so clearly manifest as in the green grass fringing the edge of the high bluff back of me.

At length retracing the uncertain footpath scaling the precipitous embankment, I seek the level lands where grow the wild prairie flowers. And they, the lovely little folk, soothe my soul with their perfumed breath. Their quaint round faces of varied hue convince the heart which leaps with glad surprise that they, too, are living symbols of omnipotent thought. With a child's eager eye I drink in the myriad star shapes wrought in luxuriant color upon the green. Beautiful is the spiritual essence they embody. I leave them nodding in the breeze but take along with me their impress upon my heart. I pause to rest me upon a rock embedded on the side of a foothill facing the low river bottom. Here the Stone-Boy, of whom the American aborigine tells, frolics about, shooting his baby arrows and shouting aloud with glee at the tiny shafts of lightning that flash from the flying arrow-beaks. What an ideal warrior he became, baffling the siege of the pests of all the land till he triumphed over their united attack. And here he lay, -- Invan, our great-great-grandfather, older than the hill he rested on, older than the race of men who love to tell of his wonderful career. Interwoven with the thread of this Indian legend of the rock, I fain would trace a subtle knowledge of the native folk which enabled them to recognize a kinship to any and all parts of this vast universe. By the leading of an ancient trail, I move toward the Indian village.

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With the strong, happy sense that both great and small are so surely enfolded in His magnitude that, without a miss, each has his allotted individual ground of opportunities, I am buoyant with good nature. Yellow Breast, swaying upon the slender stem of a wild sunflower, warbles a sweet assurance of this as I pass near by. Breaking off the clear crystal song, he turns his wee head from side to side eyeing me wisely as slowly I plod with moccasined feet. Then again he yields himself to his song of joy. Flit, flit hither and yon, he fills the summer sky with his swift, sweet melody. And truly does it seem his vigorous freedom lies more in his little spirit than in his wing. With these thoughts I reach the log cabin whither I am strongly drawn by the tie of a child to an aged mother. Out bounds my four-footed friend to meet me, frisking about my path with unmistakable delight. Chan is a black shaggy dog, "a thorough bred little mongrel," of whom I am very fond. Chan seems to understand many words in Sioux, and will go to her mat even when I whisper the word, though generally I think she is guided by the tone of the voice. Often she tries to imitate the sliding inflection and long drawn out voice to the amusement of our guests, but her articulation is quite beyond my ear. In both my hands I hold her shaggy head and gaze into her large brown eyes. At once the dilated pupils contract into tiny black dots, as if the roguish spirit within would evade my questioning.

"Why I Am a Pagan.", Part two Finally resuming the chair at my desk I feel in keen sympathy with my fellow creatures, for I seem to see clearly again that all are akin. The racial lines, which once were bitterly real, now serve nothing more than

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marking out a living mosaic of human beings. And even here men of the same color are like the ivory keys of one instrument where each represents all the rest, yet varies from them in pitch and quality of voice. And those creatures who are for a time mere echoes of another's note are not unlike the fable of the thin sick man whose distorted shadow, dressed like a real creature, came to the old master to make him follow as a shadow. Thus with a compassion for all echoes in human guise, I greet the solemn-faced "native preacher" whom I find awaiting me. I listen with respect for God's creature, though he mouth most strangely the jangling phrases of a bigoted creed. As our tribe is one large family, where every person is related to all the others, he addressed me: -"Cousin, I came from the morning church service to talk with you." "Yes," I said interrogatively, as he paused for some word from me. Shifting uneasily about in the straight-backed chair he sat upon, he began: "Every holy day (Sunday) I look about our little God's house, and not seeing you there, I am disappointed. This is why I come to-day. Cousin, as I watch you from afar, I see no unbecoming behavior and hear only good reports of you, which all the more burns me with the wish that you were a church member. Cousin, I was taught long years ago by kind missionaries to read the holy book. These godly men taught me also the folly of our old beliefs. "There is one God who gives reward or punishment to the race of dead men. In the upper region the Christian dead are gathered in unceasing song and prayer. In the deep pit below, the sinful ones dance in torturing flames. "Think upon these things, my cousin, and choose now to avoid the

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after-doom of hell fire!" Then followed a long silence in which he clasped tighter and unclasped again his interlocked fingers. Like instantaneous lightning flashes came pictures of my own mother's making, for she, too, is now a follower of the new superstition. "Knocking out the chinking of our log cabin, some evil hand thrust in a burning taper of braided dry grass, but failed of his intent, for the fire died out and the half burned brand fell inward to the floor. Directly above it, on a shelf, lay the holy book. This is what we found after our return from a several days' visit. Surely some great power is hid in the sacred book!" Brushing away from my eyes many like pictures, I offered midday meal to the converted Indian sitting wordless and with downcast face. No sooner had he risen from the table with "Cousin, I have relished it," than the church bell rang. Thither he hurried forth with his afternoon sermon. I watched him as he hastened along, his eyes bent fast upon the dusty road till he disappeared at the end of a quarter of a mile. The little incident recalled to mind the copy of a missionary paper brought to my notice a few days ago, in which a "Christian" pugilist commented upon a recent article of mine, grossly perverting the spirit of my pen. Still I would not forget that the pale-faced missionary and the hoodooed aborigine are both God's creatures, though small indeed their own conceptions of Infinite Love. A wee child toddling in a wonder world, I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is Paganism, then at present, at least, I am a Pagan. Zitkala-Sa.

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Featured Member
Crooked Sky

Brightest Blessings and Blessed Be indeed! Thank you for such an honor. So you want to know a little about me aye? Well, let's see,..ummm,...aaaa,...umm,... huh? O.K., let me start by saying that when I visit the Pagan Underworld community the first thing I enjoy doing is reading the main page for the latest discussions, blogs and activities. IMO they all represent the emotions of the

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members and the members here are what ultimately make this a great cyber home with various intelligent and informative posts. If I were to be asked how I came about my beliefs or my philosophies of life, Id have to say that such things are always on the front burner as I look forward to and do learn something new every time I turn the corner. Certain things have withstood my test of time though, and I do continue to believe in them. Some of these beliefs stemmed from my first experiences with Spiritism around the age of 2 and my awareness of such by the age of 5,..which ultimately furthered my awareness and appreciation of all things intangible, and of what people deem super natural. Looking around my home one could take notice to the alters of sorts throughout however I was never the type to verbally express my opinions to others unless asked. I truly do believe in the term to each his or her own and that a persons own philosophies of life are of a personal nature however when/if I am asked about my beliefs I confidently express them. It all kinda coincides with favorite quotes of mine from unknowns,.. Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special and do not set your goals by what other people deem important for only you know what is best for you. Hmm,..let's see, what else,..OH YES! Aside from all the above, I enjoy earning my 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. My favorite card game is Magic The Gathering and I kick a*s as Talim in the Soul Caliber Video Games,...dig my Tonfas! I also enjoy looking through art on the web and having fun displaying them through designing theme pages for social sites. Again, thank you for this honor (((everybody,...and spirit alike))) and have an awesome day!

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Featured Member Articles The Seven Sacred Prayers

by Porcelain Doll

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O Great Spirit, who art before all else and who dwells in every object, in every person and in every place, we cry unto Thee. We summon Thee from the far places into our present awareness. O Great Spirit of the North, who gives wings to the waters of the air and rolls the thick snowstorm before Thee, Who covers the Earth with a sparkling crystal carpet above whose deep tranquillity every sound is beautiful. Temper us with strength to withstand the biting blizzards, yet make us thankful for the beauty which follows and lies deep over the warm Earth in its wake .O Great Spirit of the East, the land of the rising Sun, Who holds in Your right hand the years of our lives and in Your left the opportunities of each day. Brace us that we may not neglect our gifts nor lose in laziness the hopes of each day and the hopes of each year. O Great Spirit of the South, whose warm breath of compassion melts the ice that gathers round our hearts, whose fragrance speaks of distant springs and summer days, dissolve our fears, melt our hatreds, kindle our love into flames of true and living realities. Teach us that he who is truly strong is also kind, he who is wise tempers justice with mercy, he who is truly brave matches courage with compassion. O Great Spirit of the West, the land of the setting Sun, with Your soaring mountains and free, wide rolling prairies, bless us with knowledge of the peace which follows purity of striving and the freedom which follows like a flowing robe in the winds of a well-disciplined life. Teach us that the end is better than the beginning and that the setting sun glorifies not in vain. O Great Spirit of the heavens, in the day's infinite blue and amid the countless stars of the night season, remind us that you are vast, that you are beautiful and majestic beyond all of our knowing or telling, but also that you are no

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further from us than the tilting upwards of our heads and the raising of our eyes. O Great Spirit of Mother Earth beneath our feet, Master of metals, Germinator of seeds and the Storer of the Earth's unreckoned resources, help us to give thanks unceasingly for Your present bounty. O Great Spirit of our souls, burning in our heart's yearning and in our innermost aspirations, speak to us now and always so that we may be aware of the greatness and goodness of Your gift of life and be worthy of this priceless privilege of living. ~Noel Knockwood B,A Elder~

Morality and God

by ws (admin) It absolutely astonished me that so many average Americans feel that one can not be a moral being if one doesn't follow an (often narrowly defined) Christian belief system. It seems to be beyond some people's imaginations to think that an atheist, or a Wiccan or a Gnostic could behave ethically without their god threatening punishment. (And I'm certainly not including all Christians in this statement.) What do you see as the source of ethics and moral decision making? Have you had discussions of this with concerned relatives/friends/ others? How do you respond?

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Replies to This Discussion Reply by Bill Metz WS I agree with you.......my parents raised me in a mixed home......my mother is devoutly Christian.....my dad was an atheist. When I became an adult I did not subscribe much to religion and the going to church thing. As I got older and began to study in the field of Ancient studies, it really opened my eyes to questions about Christianity. I married a Buddhist and the philosophy of Buddhism since it is not a religion made more sense to me than anything. I also began walking the Pagan path because of my studies because it also made a lot of sense to me. So here I am now.......living by the Buddhist Philosophy but worshiping on a Pagan/Mystical path. Reply by ws (admin) Thank you for sharing that, Bill. Of all the ways of viewing the world, I think I resonate most with the Buddhist approach of trying to minimize suffering (especially in a large picture way - taking into account the way our actions impacts the environment and other living beings.) Have you found a way to discuss these things with the more Christianly devout part of your family? Do you live in a place that is accepting of these beliefs? How do you manage to "fit in" while being different? Reply by Bill Metz Hey WS!!! My family thinks I will fry in Hell as do most Christians. I ask them to look at things from a different point of view but the blinders are on. Every weekend when the Jehovah Witnesses knock on the door, I ask them.......what

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happened to everyone prior to Jesus dying on the cross for salvation? Did everyone from the dinosaur era go to Hell? As far as the area I live in, South Florida is so diverse in cultures that there tends to be a diversity in religious beliefs too. If I am asked I tell them what I am and don't worry what they think about it......as far as the Paganism goes, that is generally less accepted around town. Most of the Pagans/Wiccans down here to tend to be solitary....I am driven now to get an organized coven going down here for the folks which want to be apart of something but don't know where to turn or are not accepted by the others. Namaste!!! Reply by ws (admin) I grew up in North central Florida, so I hear you! I live way out in the country now, so I don't expect to meet many with open minds philo/ligiously, but I never had so much trouble as when I lived in Texas. I had a Highschool teacher who offered me a "ride home" Only to harangue me and not let me out of the car until I said I was saved. In Texas I was told I had lots of colds because I was inhabited by the devil! It was really quite amazing. Oh and all those pre-Jesus souls are condemned to purgatory for eternity. (Not sure which souls you mean during the dinosaur era though - of course I'm told that the arc had two dinosaurs each, but that they were young and therefore they didn't need as much room as you would think.) (smile) Reply by Bill Metz I have about heard them all too......I only know what matters is what we think and do in our lives. I respect everyone's beliefs as long as they respect mine.

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Reply by ws (admin) Good answer! (smile!) Reply by Tanya M. Bryson Founder In South Carolina anything other than Christianity is frowned upon. If anyone asks you what faith you are and you are not christian you are automatically told you are going to hell. I have people tell me all the time that i need to go to church i tell them i do not. I also do not keep my beliefs under wraps. At first i keep it to my self but you know life is to short to deny who you are!!!!~

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Featured Groups Mask's

Created by Penny Lane, Founder
http://shadowheartandsouloftheblackrose.ning.com/group/masks#

We all wear masks of some sort whether physical or non-physical...Masks are worn at Halloween and Mardi Gras to hide and different cultures use masks as part of a ceremony or ritual...come share... This group has left me speechless filled with some of the most beautiful mask and great discussions, we all wear a mask so what is yours come and please share...

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Beyond The Physical Realm

Created by SunKat Information about and how to project or travel on the astral plain. Documenting and understanding out of body experiences and lucid dreams.
http://shadowheartandsouloftheblackrose.ning.com/group/beyond-the-physical-realm

This is a very well detailed group for those looking for information on astral travel, OBE, and how to astral travel, from step by step ways to enter into the astral to the common mistakes made by people, do stop by and check it out..

Our Bodies Our Health

Created by Penny Lane, Founder

http://shadowheartandsouloftheblackrose.ning.com/group/our-bodies-our-health

This group is for those of us who need a little guidance and support on making healthier choices to get our bodies and spirit in tip-top shape so that when we look at ourselves in the mirror we can give ourselves a thumbs-up...

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St. Nicholas, Santa Claus & Father Christmas

The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas/Santa Claus St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century AD in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we don't know if any of them are true!

The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how the custom of hanging up stockings to get presents in first started! It goes like this... There was a poor man who had three daughters. He was so poor, he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn't get married. (A dowry is a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the brides parents on the

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wedding day. This still happens in some countries, even today.) One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house (This meant that the oldest daughter was then able to be married.). The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter. Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold. Nicholas begged the man to not tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nicholas. Because of his kindness Nicholas was made a Saint. St. Nicholas is not only the saint of children but also of sailors! One story tells of him helping some sailors that were caught in a dreadful storm off the coast of Turkey. The storm was raging around them and all the men were terrified that their ship would sink beneath the giant waves. They prayed to St. Nicholas to help them. Suddenly, he was standing on the deck before them. He ordered the sea to be calm, the storm died away, and they were able to sail their ship safely to port. St. Nicholas was exiled from Myra and later put in prison during the persecution by the Emperor Diocletian. No one is really knows when he died, but it was on 6th December in either 345 or 352 AD. In 1807, his bones were stolen from Turkey by some Italian merchant sailors. The bones are now kept in the Church named after him in the Italian port of Bari. On St. Nicholas feast day (6th December), the sailors of Bari still carry his statue from the Cathedral out to sea, so that he can bless the waters and so give them safe voyages throughout the year. You can find out lots about about St Nicholas at the St. Nicholas Center. How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus

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In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became very unpopular. But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the U.K., he became 'Father Christmas', a character from old children's stories; in France, he was then known as 'Pre Nel'; in Germany, the 'Christ Kind'. In the early U.S.A. his name was 'Kris Kringle'. Later, Dutch settlers in the USA took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became 'Sinterklass' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'! Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas Day on 6th December. In Holland and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas's horse, they will be left some sweets. St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories. In 1823 the famous poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' or 'T'was the Night

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before Christmas', was published. Dr Clement Clarke Moore later claimed that he had written it for his children. However, some scholars now believe that it was actually written by Henry Livingston, Jr., who was a distant relative of Dr Moore's wife. The poem describes eight reindeer and gives them their names. They became really well known in the song 'Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer', written in 1949. Do you know all eight names?

Did you know that Rudolph might actually be a girl!? Only female reindeer keep their antlers throughout winter. By Christmas time most males have discarded their antlers and are saving their energy ready to grow a new pair in the spring. The UK Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus became more and more alike over the years and are now one and the same. Some people say that Santa lives at the North Pole. In Finland, they say that he lives in the north part of their country called Lapland. But everyone agrees that he travels through the sky on a sledge that is pulled by reindeer, that he comes into houses down the chimney at night and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds, in front of the family Christmas tree, or by the fire place.

Most children receive their presents on Christmas Eve night or early Christmas morning, but in some countries they get their presents on St.

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Nicholas Day, December 6th. St. Nicholas putting the bag of gold into a stocking is probably where the custom of having a tangerine or satsuma at the bottom of your Christmas stocking came from. If people couldn't afford gold, some golden fruit was a good replacement - and until the last 50 years these were quite unusual fruits and so still special! The biggest Christmas stocking was 51m 35cm (168ft 5.65in) long and 21m 63cm (70ft 11.57in) wide (from the heel to the toe). It was made the volunteer emergency services organization Pubblica Assistenza Carrara e Sezioni (Italy) in Carrara, Tuscany, Italy, on 5 January 2011. Just think how many presents you could fit in that! Santa Claus and Coca-Cola St. Nicholas in Harper's Weekly: January 1863 There's a Christmas Urban Legend that says that Santa's red suit was designed by Coca-Cola and that they might even 'own' Santa! This is definitely NOT TRUE! Long before coke had been invented, St Nicholas had worn his Bishop's red robes. During Victorian times, he wore a range of colors (red, green, blue and brown fur) but red was always his favorite! In January 1863 the magazine Harper's Weekly published the first illustration of St Nicholas/St Nick by Thomas Nast. In this he was wearing a 'Stars and Stripes' outfit! Over the next 20 years Thomas Nast continued to draw Santa every Christmas and his works were very popular indeed (he must have been very good friends with Santa to get such good access!). This is when Santa really started to develop his big tummy and the style of red and white outfit he wears today. Nast designed Santa's look on some historical information about Santa and the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'.

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Worst Case Scenario (Not Everyone Will Agree...Oh Well.)

by SteamPunkRebel I will point out things you may have never thought of,things that will make you think out of the box. This discussion is one of, after thing's have gone bad, the system has failed. the light switch you depend on and take for granted (gone)water from the faucet(gone)stores (gone) remember this when the shit hits the fan,what do you do in the event this happens.How would you survive. It's not a question of ( IF ) it's a question of ( WHEN ).When

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finally something goes terrible wrong,just what are you going to do?,are you even prepared?.(Living In A Post-Apocalypse World)These are hard questions you should be asking yourself ( NOW ), this may sound extreme for some out there.Don't wait till later,because it will be to late.Do you have materials and supplies,are you up to defending them,because people will panic,and they will become desperate and they will want what you have and they will not ask you for it,they will try and take it from you.so what will you do?.Again these may be hard questions,but their are too many people who seem to live in a candy coated world,they have not seen what goes on out in the real world,you never know how people will react in a hard core situation like this.some will say they do know how people are,they do know how people will act.these people really don't have a clue,so you may not like what you will hear in this discussion..Your personal philosophy is more important for you than mine! you are the master of your own life and if you don't agree with my views,great,fine,I understand and implement your own.The biggest thing you can do is understand that you are in control of your life and that what you do matters.Those two factors have the greatest impact on individual survival across every demographic you can imagine. food for thought,as you go through your every day world.As a race we have pretty much lost our hunter gatherer skills,everything comes to us now,food,clothing,medicine,water.but when that is gone,what will you do?...........we take a hell of alot for granted.

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When it does go bad and most everything is gone,their are some things that you probably had not thought about, don't assume that you can just walk around freely out there. (Finding a safe place to sleep);now you will be very vulnerable at this point,you are going to have to sleep at some point.remember time does not stop,while you sleep,animals and people may be in the area,and your going to need, to be unseen while you are doing this,heaven help you if you snore,do something to help prevent this before you go to sleep or you'll give up your position,and you will not see the person with the bat or axe preparing to end your life for your supplies.Dramatic....not really,think about it. (cover and concealment);not a good idea to be seen carrying supplies or going directly to your shelter,learn to take different routes to and from your concealed area.If your fishing,find brush to crouch down in,a small tree to lay behind,or down in some large rocks,do not fish off the edge of the water.If your hunting,stay hidden even after your kill,observe, make sure that no one immediately comes out from somewhere,observe a few minutes,then go to your kill and retrieve it quickly then get to an area away from where you killed your food item,clean it,pack it,leave as little evidence as possible for anyone to see later. (re-supplying yourself);You could find someone to trade with (this is very risky),however, if you wish to pursue this endeavor,be armed,be with others,observe people first,while concealed before deciding to talk or begin some kind of trading with them,you will want to see what's up with them first. (check intact buildings);stores,clinics,fuel stations,etc.but remember others may also be in the area looking for supplies,some buildings may be

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boobytrapped,or set up as traps.observe these areas..well,before proceeding to check them out. (High end trade items);water,food,medicine,ammo,any kind of batteries,solar powered devices,containers,modern and homemade weapons,coffee,sugar,salt,clothes,shoes,fire making devices,fuel,books.

When the powers that be do fail and things start to fall apart,get out of the cities,that's the worst place to be.You don't want to get caught up in this(picture above says a thousand thoughts) Do not try driving up on the highway (that's where everyone else is going) If you do your vehicle will be surrounded by other vehicles and then your stuck,no one will want to move.Your best bet,wire cutters,get off the road, cut barb wire barriers and go cross country(farm land)even if you have to get out and walk,get the hell out of there Your going to have to wait for a long cool off period before attempting to go back, even near a city.

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(It's going to get real bad out there),if their is a major power outage,nothing is pumping water. If you get desperate for water,while your out there.you can take off the lid on any (toilet tank)no not the bowl,bad idea.You may find the tank is still full,make sure you treat the water and or boil it,before drinking.This may sound extreme,but this is in extreme circumstances

When times get hard and food gets scarce,you might happen apon a dead animal carcass,(Check for predators,nothing worse than being surprised by a vicious animal).If you'll check it, you may find an area on it that has not been touched yet,cut it there and extract some meat,this will provide you with some much needed energy.(Don't stick around,predators may be on there way).

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When possible stock up on some medicines and put them in vac sealed containers or bags. Aspirin,tylenol,wide spectrum antibiotics-

(Norfloxacin,Dicloxacilin,Amoxicilin,Ampicillin,Ciprofloxacin,Infectrim,Uro Cefasabal,Infurin,penicillin). snake bite kits,Pain killers,antibiotic gel,etc.make it a point to gather as much as possible,and NO I AM NOT A DOCTOR,or any other kind of M.D.,and neither are most of you,however, you can read a medical book,right,how do you think they learned to be doctors.There may be no doctors around for hundreds of miles,after things fall apart,or their were some doctors in the building I just saw collapse.Then what?,I promise you,I will not just stand around and do nothing,and don't you.I have my military training,or I have my nurses training,or I can put a bandage on,make a splint,clean a wound...you get the point right.Read some books,knowledge is power and you will save lives,maybe your own.

Worst case scenario; Have you thought about it,simple principles lie at the heart of survival.these

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include mental attitude,what to wear and what to carry.As a survivor,you must master these basic skills,especially the psychology of survival,for they will ultimately determine weather you live or die. To survive,you need survival skills,but skills alone will not save you.You need attitude,and it has to be the right attitude.All the knowledge in the world will count for nothing unless you also have the will to survive Things you will need when it happens; Enough survival material Food for at least a year Seeds of vegetables, grains, rice and seed-potatoes Essential equipment to start a mini-civilization Books their are alot of books out there,some of the best;

Reducing fluid loss.

*If your climate is hot,reduce loss of body fluids through perspiration by remaining calm and inactive. *If you do not have any water do not eat,eating takes fluids from your body to digest the food. *Brush dried salt off your body with a dry cloth. *Try to sleep and rest as much as possible to minimise fluid loss.

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*Try not to get sick or seasick,Vomiting means losing valuable fluids, relax and focus your mind on other tasks. *Do not drink alcohol;it dehydrates the body. *Do not smoke;it increases thirst. *Suck on a button to stimulate saliva and thus reduce the desire to drink. *Never drink sea water or urine. In the event you have to use one,a protective mask should be with your gear,It should be in top shape always, to be effective.Buy a quality mask,watch out for (discount buys)your mask may not seal properly,or the seals are badly worn and in some cases the filters become toxic

Gas mask purchases are a personal decision each family must make. Educate yourself about gas masks to avoid a mistake that could cost you your life. Consider the following information before purchasing and purchase only from a recognized dealer or manufacturer. A gas mask would only protect you if you were wearing it at the exact moment a bioterrorism attack occurred. Unfortunately, a release of a biological agent is most likely to be done covertly, that is, without anyone knowing it. That means you would not know ahead of time to put on your gas mask. To wear a gas mask continuously or just in case a bioterrorist attack occurs, is impractical, if not impossible. To work effectively, masks must be specially fitted to the wearer, and wearers must be trained in their use.

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(Let The Buyer Beware) The truth about surplus gas masks: Many models of surplus masks & filters are available in nearly unlimited quantities at low prices. In most cases, these prices are low because the mask is either obsolete, recalled or replaced due to design flaws or defective components. Before buying a surplus mask, do your homework, take time to review recalled gas mask models.

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http://rainbowconstruction.ning.com/

Rainbow Construction is by far thee best theme site that I have ever seen and one that we are happy to support and be a part of. It has some of the best themers's on the web. But what makes this site so much more is that everyone there is willing to help and teach and will always answer any of your questions and give you advise and tips. So for those that want to learn this is the place to be, for those that want a place to show off there work, this is were you want to be. All there groups are for helping you with

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ideas to code tweaks, even to finding the right site to find pic's and cursors. You will not find any site out there that as everything you need to create a work of art and the help and support that will help you as you go along and learn. They also have themes in many categories that you can use for your ning pages some may need there codes updated so just follow this saying and you will have a perfect theme for your page: "Seasons change and so do codes so if you have an issue with a theme please let the creator know and they will fix"

So please stop by and check this wonderful site out if your looking to learn or show off your work then this site is for you..... One thing we do ask is that if you join please be respectful for the people that are there are serious and dedicated to there work, and if you join just to use themes that are available please send a thank you or leave a comment for it does mean a lot to all of them.....

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Bikers Against Child Abuse International Breaking The Chains Of Abuse

http://bacaworld.org/about/mission/

MISSION BACA Mission Statement Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional

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support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle. How BACA Works Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (BACA) is organized with a central contact person to receive calls from referring agencies and individuals. A recognized, authorized agency with which the child has had contact determines that the child is still frightened by his or her environment. The agency representative contacts BACA, or refers the individual to contact BACA and the name and address of the child is given to our BACA/Child Liaison. The Liaison determines that the case is legitimate, meaning that the authorities have been contacted, and the case in being processed within the system. The Liaison contacts the family and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location. The entire BACA chapter rides to meet the child and he/she is given a vest with a BACA patch sewn on the back. The child is free to wear the vest or not, and we support their decision. The child is also given bumper stickers, and other gifts that are generally donated by the public. These initial visits generally last about a half an hour. Following this initial contact, the child is given the name and number of two BACA members residing geographically closest to them, who then become the child's primary contact person(s). Prior to becoming the primary contacts for the child, the bikers are cleared for participation by clearing an extensive background check, have ridden with the Chapter for at least a year, and have received special instructions from the Licensed Mental Health Professional. Anytime the child feels scared and feels the need for the presence of his new BACA family, the child may call upon these bikers to go to the child's house and provide the necessary reassurance to feel safe and protected. BACA members and supporters also support the children by: providing escorts for them if they feel scared in their neighborhoods; riding by their homes on a regular basis;

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supporting the children at court and parole hearings; attending their interviews, and; staying with the children if they are alone and frightened. The BACA members never go to the child's house alone and never without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Our mission is not to be permanently engaged as the child's power. Our mission is to help the children and their families learn how powerful they can be. Our presence will be available as long as the child needs us. BACA also holds other functions for the children such as Bar-B-Ques, and parties. Level 1 Intervention Will consist of the organization deploying a ride, uniting as many BACA members as are able to attend. We will ride as a group to the childs house where the parent(s) / Guardians will be present to assist us in presenting the child with a patch, stickers, and a photograph of the child with his/her new biker family. If the child is afraid, it is our hope the child will use the photograph as a comfort to convey the message I am not alone, and you dont want to mess with my family. Level 2 Intervention If Level one is not sufficient to deter further abuse or harassment, several BACA members will be sent for further exposure. This group of BACA members will create a presence at the home of the child, being visible at times when the family might be the most vulnerable. The purpose of BACAs presence is to deter further abuse and to protect the children and the family, if necessary. Level 3 Intervention If the physical presence of our BACA members at the residence of the childs home does not deter the abuser, a formal letter will be drafted by the Chapter President or Vice-President in the area in which the abuser lives. This letter will be written on BACA letterhead. The substance of the letter will be to explain to the perpetrator that we are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to become the obstacle to further abuse.

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Level 4 Intervention While it is against the purpose of BACA to purposely engage a perpetrator, we will ask for the general geographical location of the offender, and conduct a Neighborhood Awareness Ride in which we will ride to the general location given to us and go door to door letting people know who we are, hand out stickers to kids, and distribute our literature regarding our mission and how we function. If the location or address of the perpetrator becomes known to any BACA Member, we will immediately withdraw our physical presence to avoid any contact. BACA does not condone, support or participate in the use of aggression, violence or physical force in any manner. If, however, ANY person should seek to inflict harm on one of our BACA Members, we will respond with commitment and loyalty to protect our Member. Our Court Appearances We also attend court with our wounded friends. The sole purpose for our physical presence is to assist the child in being less intimidated and frightened, and subsequently give an accurate testimony regarding his/her abuse. If the child requests our presence in the courtroom, the parent or guardian for the child must petition the childs attorney, who then will intercede on behalf of the child to the presiding Judge. Absolutely no physical confrontation of the perpetrator will be tolerated by BACA, and anyone acting in such a manner will be acting outside of the scope of BACA and will be held completely and solely accountable for his/her actions. When possible, the two bikers assigned to the child as his/her primary contacts should be in attendance. Given that it is not always possible for the primary contact bikers to be in attendance, a petition may be made to the general membership for their attendance and support. A listing of the court dates and times will be kept and updated on the BACA hotline at all times. BACA Creed I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I wont look back, let

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up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past has prepared me, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power. My fate is set, my gait is fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I wont give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for He will see my BACA backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.

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Chapters

United States

Select a state (states in gray do not yet have a BACA chapter): Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connectic ut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachus etts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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http://wetstags.ning.com

http://globalconspiracytheories.socialparadox.com/main

http://roadhouserockers.ning.com/

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http://shadowheartandsouloftheblackrose.ning.com/

http://bill3626.ning.com/

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Five Finger Death Punch

Friday Dec 2, 2011 7:30 PM Five Finger Death Punch Oakdale Theatre - Wallingford, CT Tickets

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Tuesday Dec 6, 2011 6:30 PM Five Finger Death Punch Sound Academy - ON - Toronto, ON Tickets Saturday Wednesday Dec 7, 2011 6:30 PM Five Finger Death Punch Lifestyle Communities Pavilion - Columbus, OH Tickets Dec 10, 2011 7:00 PM Five Finger Death Punch Mid America Center - Council Bluffs, IA Tickets Wednesday Dec 14, 2011 7:30 PM Five Finger Death Punch Myth - Saint Paul, MN Tickets Friday Dec 16, 2011 7:30 PM Five Finger Death Punch

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Compuware Sports Arena - Plymouth, MI Tickets Saturday Dec 17, 2011 7:00 PM Five Finger Death Punch Piere's - Fort Wayne, IN Tickets

Avenged Sevenfold

Friday Dec 2, 2011 6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold

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Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center - Madison, WI Tickets Saturday Dec 3, 2011 6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Target Center - Minneapolis, MN Tickets Tuesday Dec 6, 2011 Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Resch Center - Green Bay, WI Tickets Wednesday Dec 7, 2011 6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold AMSOIL Arena - Duluth, MN Tickets Friday Dec 9, 2011 6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Alerus Center - Grand Forks, ND Tickets Saturday Dec 10, 2011

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6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Bismarck Civic Center - Bismarck, ND Tickets Monday Dec 12, 2011 6:30 PM Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park - Billings, MT Tickets Tuesday Dec 13, 2011 Buried Alive Tour feat. Avenged Sevenfold Adams Event Center - Missoula, MT Tickets Friday Dec 16, 2011 7:00 PM Avenged Sevenfold HP Pavilion at San Jose - San Jose, CA Tickets Saturday Dec 17, 2011 6:30 PM Very Merry XMas feat. Avenged Sevenfold Citizens Business Bank Arena - Ontario, CA Tickets

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Puddle of Mudd

Dec 1, 2011 7:00 PM Puddle of Mudd Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise - Boise, ID Tickets Friday Dec 2, 2011 7:00 PM KISW Holiday Hangover Ball feat. Puddle of Mudd Showbox SODO - Seattle, WA Tickets Saturday Dec 3, 2011 7:00 PM

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Puddle of Mudd Knitting Factory Spokane - WA - Spokane, WA Tickets Monday Dec 5, 2011 7:00 PM Puddle Of Mudd Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO Tickets Thursday Dec 8, 2011 6:30 PM Puddle of Mudd and Halestorm The Midland by AMC - Kansas City, MO Tickets Saturday Dec 10, 2011 7:00 PM Pop Evil and Puddle of Mudd Bogart's - Cincinnati, OH Tickets Sunday Dec 11, 2011 6:30 PM Puddle of Mudd Intersection - Grand Rapids, MI Tickets

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Sevendust

Saturday Dec 10, 2011 7:00 PM Sevendust The Rave-Eagles Club - Milwaukee, WI Tickets Saturday Dec 31, 2011 8:00 PM Sevendust House Of Blues Orlando - Orlando, FL Tickets

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Bless The Fall

Friday Dec 2, 2011 5:30 PM Bless The Fall The Fillmore at TLA - Philadelphia, PA Tickets Sunday Dec 4, 2011 6:00 PM Bless The Fall Amos Southend - Charlotte, NC

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Tickets Tuesday Dec 6, 2011 5:30 PM Bless The Fall Revolution Live - Fort Lauderdale, FL Tickets Thursday Dec 8, 2011 6:00 PM Blessthefall Masquerade-GA - Atlanta, GA Tickets Saturday Dec 10, 2011 7:00 PM Bless The Fall Pop's - Sauget, IL Tickets Tuesday Dec 13, 2011 7:00 PM Bless The Fall Warehouse Live - Houston, TX Tickets

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Friday Dec 16, 2011 6:00 PM Bless The Fall Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ Tickets Don't forget to check out the realms huge music section of groups, we are not lacking in the metal~Realms Music Page

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Dark and Bright Sides Of The Gothic Life

Like every subculture - which sets itself against the norms, there are penalties to pay when you live in the dark life of goths, and one of them is fewer options when it comes to employment.

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Those on the bright side, on the whole are living a better and more productive life than the dark gothic lifes: Usually dinners at good restaurants, fund-raising events, and working at the dentist's office. They may be oblivious to the attractions of the dark side, but they are the ones you'll find volunteering for "doctors without borders" or in 10K walkathons, and on the whole, live longer that way, because optimists, do. They are lots of shades in black. You might like horrific images, But only in the abstract, and in balance like Aristotle. Remember the way Picasso advised others on the way to painting "surrealistically"? First, he said: you learn how to draw, Then you can break the rules. I found the macabre entertaining, but only after after a "happy childhood" spent without it. Without the burden of being a "baby goth". Ordinary people, on the whole, do better in life by fitting into mainstream society than by going against it. And those who must contend with being "outsiders" as children will have a much harder time of it. Living in the dark side of life, like the gothic subculture has its price. As a strategy for living, there's simply more "upside" to thinking about living, than dying. Optimistically than pessimistically.

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Gothic Subculture & Goths People

Everyone has a different view of what a Gothic subculture is. Some of the views are bad. Some of the views are good. It's hard to say exactly what a Goth is, but there are a few common factors. Gothic is being about to love or be a part of the darkness in life. It's something out of the normal points of view, dress or ways of thinking. You don't have to wear black clothing or white make-up to be Goth, you can were bright colors, but if you appreciate the music, the art, and a part of the gothic subculture, and you could very well be Goth. There are so many types within the subculture that its hard to tell who is exactly a Goth and who is not. We take a person who wears all black and black make-up to be Goth. We take the people who have piercing's and colored hair to be Goth. I've learned that it's up to the person themselves to decide whether they are Goth or not. No one has the right to label others, to tell them what or who they are. Ultragoths label most teens as weekenders or baby bats, but they at one point were young. Most Goths have been pushed out of mainstream society. People shun them, make it so they must hang together to socialize. The Gothic subculture has been shown as evil people, violent, but it's not so. Society is afraid of what they don't care to understand and so they come up with labels for those people. The Rivetheads, Ravers and Mansonites have been pushed into the same category as the Goths. It's made it hard to show people what Goths are really like. Older Goths, people over the age of 20 hate how the Gothic Scene has changed the way it has. Even within the subculture Goths label other Goths, sneer at them, and force them into even smaller groups.

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"The scene today has come down to this. Conformity to non-conformity. You have to go the right clubs, listen to the right bands, wear the right things and talk about certain things to be a Goth. For some it's an excuse to wear fishnet and vinyl and when people stare at them for being a whore they just make a big scene about it being because they're "Goth". It's lost the artful, intelligent actual culture part of the world. Most are out there to whine about depression or scare and get people's attention."

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Welcome my kinky friends! And another packed month of fetish fun to keep yourselves more than amused ;)

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

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December 1st -4th, Thursday - Sunday 2011

https://www.leatherfet.com/

LeatherFET is a four day Convention held in Charlotte, NC on the first weekend in December LeatherFET's Mission

To create an safe environment where all are welcome. Diversity and alternate lifestyle choices are celebrated through the education of different ways to love, the infinite ways to express love, and the promotion of ethical sexual freedom, while bridging the gaps between all cultures and lifestyles in a fun open exciting format designed to help each individual grow and explore safely and consensually within the protection of the protocols accepted by all that attend, embracing the infinite ways to interact with each other."

LeatherFET accomplishes this mission during these four days by offering the following: Over 30 Classes taught by experts in the areas of alternative living Friday & Saturday Night entertainment by people who enjoy living outside the box Silent Auctions of a variety of goodies

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 Vendors from all over the country Swap Meet to exchange your goods for free Sunday Afternoon Awards Ceremony to recognize those that support Alternative growth Sunday Tea to socialize and relefect on the weekends highlights Free meeting room for group meetings Sunday evening A volunteer program Bootblack station Fetish models Alternative lifestyle published authors Game night Littles Room Friday & Saturday night parties, Pansexual and Men's / Women's Only Professional photography by SaddleBag Studios Tarot reading Run pins & T-Shirt memorabilia Two Extreme Classes

Game Night And much much more....

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Submissive check list

By: Andrew In all that we do in the the bdsm lifestyle we find that we are constantly challenging ourselves and pushing the boundaries to reach new sexual pleasures, through role play, torture, bondage, and the list goes on. For me and my Partner we believe in safety first and we have come to enjoy all of our play although it is on the extreme side from what most would do. When we first started we both did this check list and we went over it together we also got to know each thoroughly and from each time we do a scene we discuss it we talk about everything that was done and what the experience was like and what it felt like, but we started here with this very check list and as we have grown together we both found that many of the things we had marked as no or didn't like had changed as the trusted grew between us and through our talks we have found that we are more open to trying new things and pushing more boundaries then we thought when we first meet. To us the check list is one that every

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Dom/Master and Sub/Slave should do and should do it more than just once as you are together longer and as you find yourself opening to new ideas and wanting to push new boundaries, this does help open communication and can lead to new things and ideas for both you to explore. For those new to the bdsm scene this is a very good place to start and to make sure that with each new partner it is used, for in a sense this list is your first form of safety just like your safe word and it will set the scenes to come.

Submissive Checklist This checklist should be filled out by a Sub and provided to their Dom/Top before playing with them. This will provide a quick "head-start" to identifying limits, negotiating and finding common ground for play. Dominants may wish to work through the checklist, to get a better handle on their specific interests. Switches should go through the checklist twice; one persons Dom and sub interests may vary widely. For each item, you need to provide two answers as follows: For experience, write YES or NO next to each item to indicate if you have ever DONE that activity. Mark N/A if it does not apply to your gender. For willingness, indicate for each item how you feel about DOING that activity by rating it on a scale of NO or 0 to 5. "?" means you don't understand what the item is attempting to describe. NO means you will NOT do that item under any circumstances (a hard limit). 0 (zero) indicates you have utterly no desire to do that activity and don't like doing it (in fact, may loath it) and would ordinarily object to doing it, but you

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would permit the Dominant to do it if it they really wanted it. (sometimes called a "soft limit"). 1 means you don't want to do or like to do this activity, but wouldn't object if it were asked of you. 2 means you are willing to do this activity, but it has no special appeal for you. 3 means you usually like doing this activity, at least on an occasional basis. 4 means you like doing this activity, and would like to experience it on a regular basis. 5 means the activity is a wild turn-on for you, and you would like it as often as possible. Mark with an asterisk (*) those items which you are willing to do only with your current sex partner(s), but not with casual play-partners. Note any additional information or nuances, which might be important for your Dom to know in the margin to the right. For example under diapers you might wish to distinguish between "wetting" and "soiling". There is intentionally some overlap between categories. Unless otherwise stated, the Sub is the recipient/target of the activity.
To View and Print the Submissive checklist click here!!

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My Pristine Angel
By: Andrew

An angelic pose, with eyes of blue, So pristine that the heavens weep, An erotic beauty that is waiting to be tamed, With flame and brand, I will make you scream, With vibrant waves of joy and pain, As I place you upon the wrack, With ball and gag, I quell your crys, As I work the flogger over every inch of your body, Every so slowly, Every so gently,

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I run the feather across your body, With an intricate mix of pleasure and pain, I take you to the edge of rapture, Only to deny you that release, As I walk you to the cross, And place you upon high, As I start to drip hot wax across you body, Followed by cold wetness of ice, As your body starts to shutter, From the mix of hot & cold, I see the pleading in your angelic blue eyes, To be taken upon this cross, In time my love, In time, As I lay the feathers out before you, With needles sharp, I start to pierce your soft vibrant skin, Now the heavens truly weep, For you have received your wings. As I look into your deep blue eyes, And Kiss your moist lips, And take you upon the cross, Taking you to heavens pearly white gates.

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(Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender community)

Anderson Cooper Interviews Transgender Children

By Jeremy Kinser (http://www.advocate.com/authors.aspx?searchterm=Jeremy%20Kinser)

Anderson Cooper interviewed three transgender girls and their parents, some of whom were told by doctors that their children were just going through a phase. In advance of this Sunday's International Transgender Day of Remembrance, Cooper spoke with three transgender female children and their parents for an episode of his afternoon talk show, Anderson, that was broadcast yesterday. The parents of 8-year-old Danann parents say they turned to their pediatrician for advice but were given what is a common response: Oh, it's just a phase. After consulting different doctors and therapists, they reveal they were

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relieved to receive the diagnosis that Danann is transgender. When Danann was 6 and began making threats to end her life, her parents decided to help her make the transition to living as a girl. It was like night and day ... a totally different child, Danann's mother tells Cooper.

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

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report was accurate. People 'assumed' the Federal Government would never conduct biochemical experiments on the general populace. People 'assumed' the world was once flat. One more time... Keepers Of The UnderWorld Magazine does not necessarily adhere to, or endorse, any or all of the links, stories, articles, editorials, or products offered by sponsors found on this magazine. All of the materials and data offered in this Magazine are for informational and educational purposes only. And remember: it's all free to you Thank you for reading. Enjoy. Sweet, Andrew, Persephone and Oak

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