December, 1994

Volume 1, Number 1

Orion at Twilight Highlights was published monthly by Orion at Twilight in Everett, Washington.

If I may introduce myself, I am Orion Lionesse. While my time is mostly spent at Orion At Twilight (O.A.T.) right now, my interests include merchanting at events of the SCA (Society For Creative Anachronism), and science fiction and fantasy conventions, writing fiction, making jewelry (some of which are for sale in the shop), and making music (piano, recorder, drums). I am new to the Everett area, although I've lived in Washington for almost 15 years.

Our store is new to this area, though we have a following built on 12 years of providing similar goods at events. We hope to enlarge our circle of friends in the future through expanding the number and variety of lines we carry, as well as through in-store events and workshops and seminars. If you have any suggestions for subjects or items you're searching for, please tell us. It's likely that if you are interested in something, others are too. Let's network, shall we?

PLANS/HOPES/DREAMS

• Introduction to Tarot
• Runes: What are they and how can they help me?
• Burning Times; a look at the Middle Ages focusing on the persecution of women and Pagans in general.

As I write this, we have acquired a new feature at our store: the ability to accept credit cards! Also, we have started accepting bridal gift registrations. Also, come check out our calendar of area events. If you have an event to add or a contact for other events, please help us keep the calendar up-to-date.

Until next month,

ORION

Dec. 11 - CHRISTMAS FROM THE REALMS OF ANGELS, Medieval and Renaissance carols from Madrigalia, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7002-23rd Ave. NW, in Seattle. 4:00 p.m. Freewill offering.

Dec. 17 - WINTER REVEL (SCA) and Potlatch at the Tacoma Sportsman's Club, 16409 E. Canyon Rd., Tacoma, WA. $5 gate fee. Sponsored by Barony of Blatha An Oir. Info: Celeste Card, 206/474-8067 (10 a.m. - 9 p.m.)

Dec. 21 - Winter Solstice

Dec. 24 - FIRST ANNUAL EVERETT ALL AREA CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL, sponsored by Everett Historical Theater Society at the Everett Theater, 2911 Colby Ave. 1 p.m. to ???. Info: Tom Krahn, 339-8338.

Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS. O.A.T. will be closed.

Jan. 6-8 - TWELFTH NIGHT/CORONATION (SCA) - At the Landmark Inn Best Western Hotel in Lynnwood, WA. Sponsored by Barony of Madrone/ Site fee $10. Opens Fri. at 5 p.m. Info: Anne-Marie (206) 789-9194.

Jan. 13-15 - RUSTYCON, a Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention in Belleview, WA. Call O.A.T. for more details.

Jan. 28-29 - URSULMAS (SCA) , a Medieval Bazaar and Tourney sponsored by the Shire of Aquaterra at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Open Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-3. Info: Fiacha MacNiall (206) 568-6253. Features Archery, costumes, merchants, heavy fighting.

PERIODICALS: Be sure to stop in each month for free copies of SGN and Magickal Times, as well as The New Taste of Everett, Little Nickel and other area periodicals.

Several new things have come into the store recently that we would like to mention.

There was an open house at Moving Books in Seattle, and we spent all day browsing the shelves for new and interesting stuff. Our book shelves have nearly doubled, and we have several other things that might work well as stocking stuffers. Our music collection has also expanded, and we have several new demo tapes to make the store atmosphere even more pleasant.

We found a new supplier for Wind chimes that you might have seen at Dreamcon, and recently received several additions that you may not have seen before.

All of our glassware is now out on display, and if you make your own juices or wines, they would look great in colored glass or sealed bottles. We also have smaller glass bottles for oils that just don't look right in their original packages.

At Dreamcon, we discovered some beautiful T-Shirts that we are now carrying. The artist is Sandra Santara from Dancing Wolf Studio, and she will be sending us more shirts before Yule.

The other shirts we have are from Liberty Graphics. The designs include animals and constellations plus other interesting things.

Our Jewelry display has expanded to the golden tree, and we have many new necklaces in silver and crystal. See if you can find the Wizard.

If you like small animal sculptures, take a look at the ones in the glass case. The artist can do any animal, including your favorite. These are less expensive than the metal sculptures, and different from the usual ceramics.

Mortar and Pestle sets are used for crushing herbs and for preparing spices for cooking. Until now they have been hard to find unless you look on the back shelves of kitchen supply stores. There are new marble ones just arrived..

Our supplier of pottery just sent us a new box of designs with several new designs, such as an Owl and an Eagle. come in and see if you can find your special symbol.

Remember the windows with multicolored sand in them that fell to form sand dunes and mountains? We have new versions of them, including some that defy gravity by forming the patterns at the top. We even have backward clocks and hourglasses that work in reverse. The perfect gift for someone who needs a little more time on their hands.

Getting tired of spending so much money on kindling for starting campfires and woodstoves? There's a new and better way. Quickfires are candles with a special kind of wax that burns HOT! Hot enough to light that wet wood you've been saving for the cold winter months. They even have a long fuse for safety.

Robert Gass has been composing music for religious circles for many years. We have the entire collection available now. We can also get those hard to find tapes with the music you wish the other stores carried.

2000 Updates

Our book selection was always something we were proud of, although there were many books that we wish we could have kept in stock.

JW Stannard, the supplier for the fantastic wind chimes that we mentioned here is currently working on a website.  I have a copy of their catalog.

Dancing Wolf is still going strong, and has lots of new artwork available for T-shirts and standard art.

Amazon Earthworks was our pottery supplier.  They produce matriarchal and animal imagery on handmade pottery,spirit bags,ritual candles, 'mother loves' incense burners, smudge bowls and ceremonial bowls.  I'll try to get in touch with them again.  

Amazon Earthworks
P.O.Box 248
Pacific City, OR 97135
Phone: 503-392-3900, Fax: 503-392-3901

Hi there, My name is Kyle Kyros Starr. I am one of the three owners, along with Orion and Calador. I usually go by my middle name of Kyros, though. I will be available in the shop starting the first of December to read Tarot Cards. To tell you a little bit about myself: I moved to this state 5 years ago from Indiana. I started reading Tarot for myself about three and a half years ago and began reading Tarot professionally about 2 years ago. I worked on both the Society for Creative Anachronisms (medieval fairs) and Science Fiction Convention circuits. 

I use both the Merlin Tarot and the Phoenix Cards for divination purposes. The Merlin Cards are used for your standard Tarot readings and the Phoenix Cards are used to show how past life influences are still affecting you today. My rates are currently $10.00 for a Merlin reading and $15.00 for a Phoenix reading. I am also available to come to you for readings in your home or if you want to get some friends together and throw a party. The fee is only slightly higher if you need me to come to you (I need to cover gas and such) (GRIN). 

Anyway, that's all you probably want to know about me for now. Any other questions you have please ask, I am always willing to answer what I can....And if I don't know the answer we have a reference section for your convenience in the store.

Kyros

The Sorceress' 
Apprentice Writes:

Installment 1: 'Judge Ye Not, Lest Ye Be--'

Hi there. As the column's title implies, I'm a student of magical religions, apprenticing under a priestess of what's called 'Wicca'. Recently several friends, merchants from science-fiction and fantasy conventions, opened ORION AT TWILIGHT (O.A.T.), the metaphysical book/supply/gift store whose newsletter you're reading. It's a fascinating place, and I've delighted in watching my buddies here undertake this new adventure.

What occasionally hasn't been fun: watching my friends endure the first brushes with Everett's less-tolerant religious factions. It's included such laughable encounters as when a bellicose chap came in for an hour's aggressive 'conversation', he being convinced that we mush-brained New Agers needed a good firm 'Christian' straightening-out. But some serious unpleasantness has gone with it, such as a recent tangle with a local business-supply firm. (No names mentioned---they know who they are, and there's no point in public recriminations.) Their sales people accepted an order and accepted a down-payment check with no apparent qualms. HOWEVER: when the word 'metaphysical' came into a subsequent conversation with a company rep, he began to hem and haw and back-pedal. Finally, he bluntly stated that his was 'a Christian business' and that O.A.T. should take its trade elsewhere.

The gang at O.A.T. did so, but not without ill feelings. Had the word 'metaphysical' not wandered into their dealings with this particular firm, they'd have gladly taken my friends' money with no further questions. What perturbs me personally is that, knowing the folks at ORION AT TWILIGHT, I also know that they represent numerous different religious viewpoints. They're a tolerant bunch, and I think the local community could do worse than to take a page from their book. (Pun not intended, but I like it; it stays in.)

If it helps to de-fuse future misunderstandings, I might suggest a reading list for anyone who's interested:

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYSTICAL AND PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE, by Rosemary Ellen Guiley;

THE TRUTH ABOUT WITCHCRAFT TODAY, by Scott Cunningham;

THE MAGICIANS' COMPANION, by Bill Whitcomb

(All of these works can be found at ORION AT TWILIGHT; or if you'd rather, simply come in and find out for yourself what these folks are up to.)

This month's Book Watch is dedicated to CATS! Our store cat Wendy has her own column following this one, reflecting HER view of the world, so I'll just cover the items on cats that we have, beginning with the books:

• Blank Books 'R' Us! Check out the several forms of cat journals we have, especially Cat Tales, A Place for Me to Write My Thoughts, with catlike sayings and lots of space for your own (or other's) thoughts.
• All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat, by Suzy Becker. "Take some time to eat the flowers" is one piece of advice.
• As a Cat Thinketh, by Jim Proimos. I can't even quote from this book. You HAVE to see the cartoon illustrations to appreciate the advice.
• The Cat Who Went to Heaven, by Elizabeth Coatsworth. This timeless fable of a cat who changes the life of a poor Japanese artist has been a classic enjoyed by many generations of children since it was published in 1930.
• Cat-Dependent No More, by Jeff Reid. Are you a feline junkie? Here's help and inspirational words from recovering co-dependents.
• Cats, a First Discovery Book, by Gallimard Jerinesse, uses words, pictures and unusual see-through pages to introduce various aspects of the cat family to children.
• Cherished Cats, a lovely calendar.
• The Fur Person, by May Sarton, follows the evolution of her cat from Cat-About-Town to Gentleman Cat, finally emerging as a real Fur Person.
• How to be Your Cat's Best Friend, by P.C. Vey. One piece of advice is, "Take him fishing - [at] Bob's Fish Market."
• I Purr, Therefore I Am; Never Before Collected Observations on All Things Cat, by Merritt Malloy.
• Meditations for Cats Who Do Too Much, by Michael Cader. Advice: "There's some lint out there with your name on it. Don't procrastinate - catch it while it's fresh."
• Scheherazade's Cat & Other Fables From Around The World, by Amy Zerner. A lush collection of stories.
• The Superior Cat, IQ Tests for Cats and Their Two-Legged Companions, by Melissa Miller. Is your cat blissfully ignorant or smarter than you?
• Tribe of the Tiger, by Elizabeth Thomas. Cats and their culture, from our beloved house cats to the king of the jungle.

Of course, books are by no means the limit of our cat-lovers temptations. Consider brass and pewter lions, Tarot of the Cat People, winged mountain lion and tiger T-shirts, mountain lion smudge pots, blank and birthday cards, incense holders, 12-hour candles, scented candles, and cat chimes! So, if you or someone on your Yule shopping list is a cat-lover, come in and browse, we just might have exactly what you are looking for!

Welcome to the first issue of the Orion at Twilight Newsletter. While most of our clientele are of either Pagan or alternative persuasions, there is one member of the group who is an actual, Born-Again Christian (gasp!). Yes, it's true, there's a Fundie in your midst.

No, I'm not going to club you with my Bible. What I would like to do is cover certain issues from a different perspective. I've always been interested in other viewpoints, even during the days when I was more faithful in my church attendance and led both a children's and adult choir.

One of my favorite questions is "How can you be a Christian and yet have no problem admitting to belief in the Goddess?' I'd like to answer that one here and now to those who haven't already heard my explanation.

I've visualized a large organizational chart depicting the Spiritual Hierarchy. While this may not work for some, it does for me. At the very top in a 'box' all His own, is ... God ... the Chairman of the Board. He owns the whole thing, started the company in fact, but knows the importance of delegation. Directly beneath this 'box' is one that says 'Jesus'. This is the CEO, the boss who signs the paychecks and handles mergers, etc. All the 'big-business stuff'.

Now, if any of you work in large companies, you all know who does most of the 'dirty work' ... the secretary! Guess Who!?! It's the Goddess who sees to the day to day running of the company. Who do you call when the copier is jammed, when you need another pen or you hard-drive crashes? You see, while it is the Chairman or CEO who takes care of making sure the planets don't crash into each other, it's the secretary who reminds them of which planet is in which orbit. 'Nuf said!

I'd enjoy the opportunity to discuss any of this further in future issues. If you have any ideas or things you'd like to see covered in 'The Other Side,' write to me at the store address.

Thanks and 'Blessed be!'

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wendy Tiger, the part time official Orion at Twilight Store Cat. I've never written a newspaper column before, but am looking forward to my new career.

If you haven't had the pleasure of making my acquaintance, let me say that I plan on being on duty at least one day a week, either Saturday or Sunday, depending upon availability of transportation. I am a black and white, domestic long hair with a short but eloquent tail and what Orion calls 'feathers on my feet'.

I look forward to meeting and greeting all the customers that come in while I'm in residence and I promise to try and not make 'kitty biscuits' on your legs when I sit in your lap. Just remember, I only do it if I like you.

If you have any topics you'd like to see addressed from a feline point of view, just drop me a line at the store. I promise to give all letters my personal consideration. I am looking forward to making many new friends very soon.

Meow for Now!

Wendy Tiger