Wow! What a month we’ve had! It has surely been the wildest month we’ve had since we opened last October. Not only did we have a major event outside the store every weekend and discussion groups, classes and drum circles in the store, but we had a major explosion of new lines of cool stuff and BOOKS*BOOKS*BOOKS*AND MORE *BOOKS*! You just have to see our shelves to believe it. Expecially full are the Celtic, magic, gay, and religion/mythology sections. (Personally, my backlog of desired reading just took a quantum leap!) As you may be able to tell, I’m quite excited about our growth spurt and all the new BOOKS!

Coming in July are two in-store classes on Tarot and Crime Prevention. We are re-offering the Tarot class, as several students couldn’t attend at the last minute in June. The class is $7.50 before the day of the class and $10 at the door. Crime Prevention is FREE! We will find out strategies for being safe in our homes, in our cars, and on the streets. We will also have several safety devices demonstrated to us that may be purchased.

Our drumming circle continues to grow. When the weather is fair, we drum outside on the sidewalk (and you wouldn’t believe the looks we get). Several people have heard us playing and stopped in to play along for awhile. Other non-players have inquired when the circle is so that they can listen and enjoy. You don’t need a drum to play along--any rhythm instrument or even two sticks will do. However, we do have extra drums and rhythm instruments available, so come, even if you don’t have a drum.

Our discussion groups are a lot of fun. You never know what we’ll be discussing! If you have a topic you’d like opinions on or have questions about, bring it along. We usually don’t quit talking til 9:30, and then only reluctantly.

July 8 - TAROT CLASS, held again for those of you that didn’t make it to the last one. If you still have the ticket, it’s still good!

July 12 - DISCUSSION GROUP, in the store. Come talk about what’s important to you.

July 18 - DRUM CIRCLE. Let’s make some noise together!

July 20 - CRIME PREVENTION SEMINAR in the store. FREE! Our speaker will show us how to be safe in our homes and on the streets. FREE!

July 22 - METAPHYSICAL CONFERENCE, in Idaho. This is going to be a networking opportunity we are not going to miss, even though it’s in another state.

July 24 - DISCUSSION GROUP, in the store. It’s every other Wednesday, starting at 7:00 p.m. and going ‘til we drop.

August 3-7 - CLINTON WAR (SCA), in British Columbia. The store may not be there, but Kyros sure will. It’s his favorite event!

Aug 11-13 - El Mar Fudd (SCA), the not-so-serious side of the SCA. This is a wet event, so be prepared!

Aug 19-20 - KENT CANTERBURY (SCA), held in Earthworks Park in Kent, just south of Seattle.

Crystals, Gems and Rocks Oh My! There was a Gem Show in Seattle the last weekend of June, and we found some neat things. You must see them to believe them, but I don’t think you’ll find them anywhere else. We also have a trip planned in the Fall down to our major supplier in Los Angeles, Jewel Tunnel Imports. If you’re looking for anything in particular, be sure to let us know. And when I say anything, I mean anything. Their wherehouse is huge!

A supplier came up from San Francisco to show us some carved pieces from her company that we were very impressed with—molded candleholders and incense stick holders in shapes we’d never seen before. She’s also our source for the lovely fluorite and labradorite spheres.

We found someone else with the idea for Portable Altar Kits, but on a much smaller scale. Called Sacred Shrine Starters, they are little baskets with everything you need, no matter who you are trying to contact.

And our Portable Altar Kits have an added fifth design, the Dragon. Also, we’re getting ready to add several new options to the kits themselves. They can be customized to your own taste, too.

Networking, according to America Online, is ‘an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system.’ So to join a network is to include yourself in a chain of information exchange and resource sharing for mutual benefit. One of the reasons we opened the store is to include ourselves in the existing networks of Metaphysical, Pagan, Gay and other Alternatives in Snohomish County. We thought that if a place existed for all these groups to come to, they would. And you have.

Not that it’s been easy. Until recently, there was a publication out of Seattle called The Northwest Magical Times. We are not really sure why they had to stop publishing, and we are not going to spread the rumors we have heard. The new Widdershins out of North Seattle is trying to take their place, and time will tell how well they succeed in this. There was also a publication called Children of the Moon, who unfortunately lost their advertising base and the time necessary to keep themselves up and running.

Here in Snohomish County, there is the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, a Wiccan/Pagan church recognized in three countries, and the Circle of Magic up in Stanwood, who we understand is up to its limit in membership.

One of the questions that gets raised when the subject of networking comes up is: “Do we have the people necessary to support a network?” Once a connection is made, do people have the time to maintain it? In a lot of cases, the answer turns out to be no.

A question was once raised at a meeting in Edge of the Circle in Seattle. “Does a community exist in the Pagan circles that can be organized like the Christian churches have been doing for two thousand years.” The answer was again no, because no one could agree on enough to make anything stick. The Christians have an advantage in the Bible, which no matter how different the interpretations are, still is always a foundation they can draw upon. Pagans don’t have a standard, because we draw our base from so many different cultures.

But we can still have a community. What brings us together is our very diversity, which is one of the founding principles of this country. In fact, there is a Diversity Council in Snohomish County that I am trying to get information on. If anyone has anything to share on this subject, please stop by the store and talk to us about it, or send us some email.

PFLAG stands for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays. The organization was started in 1973 by Jeanne Manford of New York City, became a national organization in 1981, and currently has chapters in over 360 communities in the U.S. and in 11 other countries worldwide. This is their mission statement:

Via the Internet:

This is not what you usually think of when you hear the word paranormal (K: Why not? It’s beyond the normal, and that’s what paranormal means.) It is, however, of a strange nature.

I seem to somehow affect the light bulbs around me. I first noticed it about a year ago. In my kitchen, we had eight 65 watt flood lights (I include the wattage because it directly affects the bulb life). Each one would occasionally go off, as if to cool itself. One light in particular, though, was a little bit different from the others. As I walked under it, it would come on or go off, depending on its previous state. Sure, it came on and went off randomly just like the others, but almost every time I went under it, it would change. Eventually we had to install compact fluorescents because the others were driving us nuts.

Around that time I realized that my bedroom light was needing to be replaced more often. I used a 95 watt bulb for this purpose. They began to only last about a month or two in my room, so we tried halogen bulbs. The 100 watt halogen, with an average life of 10,000 hours, burned out in six months. It should take a year to exhaust one of these bulbs, even if running it all the time. I'm currently trying to find a fluorescent fixture that I can live with.

You would think that the light in my bathroom would last a little longer. With less use and less wattage why shouldn't it? Last week I replaced a 65 watt bulb that I had just put in there three weeks before.

I have a small halogen lamp on my desk which I was very pleased with until it started doing the same thing. I used it for a maximum of two months and it burned out. I bought another light for it with an amazing average life: 30,000 hours. Surely this one wouldn't go for a while. Guess again. A month was all it took.

It's not only that the lights associated with me have a shorter life, nearly every bulb that burns out does so when I turn on that light. Not any of the other five people that live in my house.

I went on vacation to Grand Cayman not long ago with my family. Anybody have any idea what happened when I turned on the lights? I threw a circuit breaker. Later I turned on a lamp, only to witness the bright flash signaling the death of a light bulb that I have become accustomed to.

Richard Carpenter,

San Antonio, Texas

Bleaching agents, simply put, are chemicals which either burn out unwanted dyes or solid particles, or combine with them to make them soluble with soap or detergent. There are several different types to choose from, depending upon what the stain is and what type of material it is on and what type of dye the material is decorated with.

The most common is chlorine. By any brand name, it is basically the same. However, the strength of concentration may vary. This is a very severe bleach and should be used with care. Too strong and it will burn any material, reducing its tensile strength and therefore its life. Too little will leave traces of the stain. In this case, to little is better than too much. You can always repeat the process if needed but, if you have damaged the material, you can’t undo that. Chlorine works best on cottons. Some dyes will withstand it for several washings, but in the long run will lighten each time washed. Chlorine is good for food dyes, natural dyes (mustard, grass, etc. ), body waste and sanitation.

Hydrogen peroxide, the same as the mouth wash, can be used for the non-chlorine materials. This process must be done in a plastic or glass container, not the washing machine, as severe damage will occur very quickly. Wear protective gloves. Use approximately one pint per gallon of water only. Use no other additives at this time. Use it on very light colors to white.

This is a slow process requiring three to eight hours or sometimes longer. Stir the mixture occasionally (every 15 to 30 minutes) and look for the spot. Wash by hand using cold water (never hot!), changing water frequently for at least five bathes. On the final rinse, use a small amount of liquid fabric softener. Allow no metal to be in the bath with the garment (snaps, zippers, buttons), as severe rusting will occur and damage the material. This is good for almost all materials. Read your care labels.

Ammonia is another little understood bleaching agent. This must NEVER be used together with any chlorine bleach at all, whether as a separate additive or included in your detergent. It produces VERY dangerous fumes! It is safe to use on almost all fabrics (except silk and wool) and dyes.

Ammonia is good for removing blood, body residue, food, and as a general disinfectant. This can be used as a presoak. Rinsed three times afterwards, it can then be safely bleached in other ways when put into a washer.

Remember, always read your care tags. They can solve many problems, assign legal responsibility, and in general make things much easier. Avoid buying garments that do not have them. Without them, you are on your own. They are very important.

If in doubt as to the serviceability of any agent, it is always better to test first than to be sorry later.

It is our wish to be of service to our community. Therefore, if you have any questions, please send them to this paper. We will try to answer as many as we can.

Merry meet again! This is Angela, beginner herbalist, with this month’s herb.

St. Johnswort (hypericum perforatum), has a long history, both medicinally and otherwise. Named after St. John the Baptist, this plant was believed to drive out devils and protect one from evil influence. It is used in the making of protective amulets, and hanging St. Johnswort in your home will keep you safe from harm. This bright yellow flowering plant grows up to 3 feet tall and can be found on roadsides and abandoned lots. St. Johnswort begins to bloom as the weather turns warm and can be harvested from June to August. The flowers, as well as small upper leaves are used medicinally. When bruised, the flowers yield a reddish juice, the color of blood. This herb can be used internally as a tincture, externally as a wash or infusion. Internally, it is used to treat nervous disorders, depression, and various female complaints. Infused in olive oil, it is most commonly used externally to treat bruises and burns, especially sunburn.

CAUTION: Scientific studies have shown that if taken internally in large quantities or over long periods of time, St. Johnswort causes light sensitivity, usually in some form of dermatitis. This is due to the photosensitive component HYPERICIN that St. Johnswort contains.

An infusion of St. Johnswort is fairly simple to make: Gather enough fresh plant to fill a 1 quart canning jar. Snip off the top leaves and flowers of the plant, bruising slightly before placing in jar. After filling the jar with plant matter, add a high quality olive oil. Olive oil is an anti-biotic and is an excellent carrier oil for pretty much any type of anti-inflammatory infusion. Infuse for 3-6 weeks, until oil is reddish in color. Using cheese cloth, strain plant matter from oil and store in a dark colored glass bottle away from heat and light. This oil will keep for up to 2 years if stored properly.

Tincture: An extraction of the medicinal properties of herbs in an alcohol or acid base. Internal.

Infusion: An extraction of the medicinal properties of herbs in an oil. External.

Witches Heal: A Lesbian Herbal, Billie Potts

A Handbook of Native American Herbs, Alma R. Hutchens

The Master Book of Herbalism, Paul Beryl

by Marlene Harris

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) means Universal Life Energy. It is a hands-on healing discipline which has been in existence for thousands of years. Buddha, it is believed, healed using this energy. The touch is powerful, yet gentle.

This powerful energy is the vital force found in all life. Like sound waves, it is invisible to us, yet we exist on it at every moment.

Many people use Reiki as part of their prevention program. Some use it to heal specific physical or emotional concerns. Others have Reiki sessions to help them relax and become centered.

This empowering healing art helps us heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. A Reiki table, similar to a massage table, is used but the client remains clothed. Each practitioner, as in other healing arts, works somewhat differently. In my practice I am very comfortable with the client listening to soothing instrumental music if he/she finds it helpful. I like to have a short discussion prior to treatment. Physical concerns (or any other issues) are presented that the client would like me to focus on during treatment. My preference is to give a whole body treatment with an emphasis on specific ailments. However, this isn’t mandatory. I work with a wide variety of ailments, anywhere from sore muscles to cancer. Genitals and painful body parts are never touched, as energy can be transmitted without physical contact.

Reiki is widely used in many countries. It has proven to be an ideal healing discipline, allowing powerful changes through a gentle, soothing and conforting touch. Oftentimes immediate changes can be felt. Additionally, it is a relaxiing yet energizing experience.

Whether you decide to use Reiki touch or another modality, always remember: YOU KNOW YOUR BODY BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE DOES. Trust your inner guidance. If what the healer is saying doesn’t resonate with you, then it’s not your path. There are many solutions. Don’t give up, as there is always a way!

by Morgan Beard

Being a professional soldier in the U.S. Army is not a profession one tends to associate with the religion of Wicca. I was surprised when I first heard of Wiccans in the armed forces, and even more surprised a short time later to find myself in the Army---Reserves, that is. However, once the shock wore off, one of my immediate concerns was: How could I practice my religion while training?

I did not know very much about that Army at the time, or about how it deals with religion. With the help of a friend, I discovered that the Army fully recognizes Wicca and Paganism. I assumed though, that while Wicca is officially recognized as a religion, it would be unofficially discouraged.

During basic training at Fort Jackson (SC), my schedule was too demanding to give me time to perform an rituals, as I would have liked to do. I did finally get a chance to speak to my Chaplain (a Lutheran, as it happened). He told me that he had dealt with Wiccans in basic training before, and I was given permission to use the barracks garden for meditation.

After basic training, I was shipped to Fort Ben Harrison (IN) for advanced training in my chosen specialty of finance. One of the first things I did upon arriving at Fort Harrison was to make an appointment with the Chaplain.

I think I baffled him when we met. Fort Harrison is a small post with relatively few students. The Chaplain had never had a Wiccan request to perform ritual before. He consulted his superior, the post Chaplain, and got permission for me to practice Wicca on post.

His next step was to inform my company commander and drill sergeant of what I was doing. There were only two constraints placed on my rituals. I had to have a cadre member present, and I had to wear battle-dress-uniform (camouflage suit) for the ritual. Please keep in mind that these constraints were only because of my training status. Had I been out of training, I would not have had to obey them.

My drill sergeant and I discussed my practice, and although she had never heard of Wicca, she was very open-minded about it. She got me off duty on the nights in question, which later turned out to be a big help. With her and the Chaplain's assistance, I was able to perform the first Wiccan/Pagan ritual ever at Fort Ben Harrison on 10 October 1992, and the second on Samhain. History had been made!

I would like to emphasize that at no time during basic or advanced training did I feel that I was being discriminated against or harassed by Army personnel. It was actually the opposite--everyone went out of their way to make sure I had what I needed.

This is important for people who are thinking of joining or for those already in the armed forces. Realize that you do have the right to practice your religion. Asserting yourself as I did has two advantages. One, it paves the way for future Wiccans who may follow in your footsteps. Two, it forces the Army and other services to recognize that Wicca is a living and growing religion those members deserve consideration. If policy makers believe that only one in every 10,000 soldiers is a Wiccan or Pagan, they are less likely to pay attention to our needs than if that figure is one in 1,000 or even one in 100.

An added advantage is that you can network or make contact with other Wiccans or Pagans. For instance, there were two other Wiccans in my basic training company of 240 people. I never knew about them until I spoke to the Chaplain.

There's a difference, though, between requesting permission to perform private or open rituals and running through the streets screaming, "I'm a Wiccan!" As in the civilian world, in the military it's not always a good idea to advertise that you’re Wiccan. While Army people are generally open-minded about religion, there are still a lot of devout Christian soldiers who simply can't put away their prejudices and deal with the idea of working beside a "witch".

I do know from experience that it's too easy to feel lost or spiritually isolated, in the Army or elsewhere, to let anything come between you and the Lady and the Lord. Whether you're worried about prejudice (a valid concern), or trying to cut through spools of red tape to be allowed to practice your beliefs freely, work calmly and patiently--but persistently.

I don't believe I've done anything extraordinary. I simply opened up an intelligent dialogue with my Chaplains and chain of command, answering their questions, and made sure they understood there was nothing to worry about or be afraid of. Military or civilian, that's usually all we can do; most often, it's more than enough.

Going along with the theme of networking in Adult Circles and Community groups, I felt a need to talk about our youth, who we want to raise in a nurturing Pagan environment with a value system that would respect the Goddess and all of Nature’s creatures. I’ve found it incredibly difficult to find practical, socially expectable ways to teach my son Wiccan values and history that he can take with him outside our house.

In my apartment complex the predominance of my neighbors are moderate to very Christian, none of whom are very accepting. As long as I don’t say anything, no one kills my cats or burns my plants, but it’s not a very good environment for my 3 year old. All of his playmates are off to vacation Bible school this week, leaving Jamie bored, and me with something of a dilemma. I would not send my son with his friends to a place that would tell him his mother and father are evil or bad, or even misguided in their beliefs. (Jamie’s biological father is Jewish, and his soon to be step-father is Wiccan.) But what am I to do with the little dear. He wanted to go to camp.

I’ve found myself wishing more and more for a Vacation School or Day Camp for Pagan children, one that would embrace our faith and history in a positive way. I’ve thought about this for quite some time, and even went so far as to write up a curriculum, (which my fiancé's Macintosh promptly ate... Urp!). Now all I need to do is find like-minded individuals. Hence this letter.

“Repent! The End is Near!” It conjures up an image of a sandal shod old man in a homespun robe walking to and fro waving the aforementioned sign, doesn’t it?

There is something to be said for being prepared for whatever is coming, be it the Rapture, Armageddon, the ‘Big One’ (or even some smaller ones!), flood, fire, whatever!

From a Biblical standpoint, the New Testament prophesies cataclysmic changes before ‘the End Times’, i.e., war, rumors of war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes. One only has to go as far as the evening news or the daily paper to see those and more.

The psychic community, or at least those I’m acquainted with, have all been aware of ‘feelings’ or ‘messages,’ or whatever they call their particular talents, that there is indeed something in the offing. None of them can give any particular details, other than whatever ‘it’ is, it will be something that precipitates major change in life as we know it. They are all counseling preparedness for whatever happens. So is the American Red Cross, for that matter.

No, I’m not advocating a survivalist mentality, though they do have some valid things to say in the matter. But it never hurts to ‘be prepared’.

Many of my friends in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) have long said that our group may be better prepared than some for a return to an earlier age, but I’m not certain this is the case. What do you consider necessities for living? Microwave? CD’s? Your computer? Cable TV? Refrigerator? Electricity?

You can still use your propane stove and lantern, but what happens when the propane bottle is empty? Do you know how to make candles, and grow and preserve your own food?

If we’re all lucky, it may never come to that, but if it does, how ready are you?

My two-legged penned an article this month on being prepared. There was an aspect of the subject she neglected to mention. If any of the readers have animal companions, measures for their survival in the event of catastrophe should also be considered. Keep an extra bag of cat or dog food (or whatever species you share quarters with) on hand. We would greatly appreciate it.

Something else to watch for. Anyone who has animals about knows how very aware we are of changes in our environment. This is because we don’t have to clutter our memories with details like budgets and such. We see the changes coming before our humans do and attempt to communicate the information by our actions. All we ask is that you watch us; we’ll tell you when something’s up.

Perhaps being closer to the ground has something to do with it, making us cogniscent of smaller movements you humans don’t feel. Paw pads, as you know, are much more sensitive than even bare feet!

One final note... and I hesitate to mention it. Please do not consider us, your friends, as an alternative food source, unless all else fails. While the ultimate sacrifice is preferable to a slow end by starvation, if you (our human friends) have made adequate preparations, it should not be necessary.

Thanks for listening and Meow for Now!