May, 1996

Vol 3, Number 3

It’s been a quiet week in Lake Woebegone...Wait a minute! Wrong opening!

Let’s start over. It’s been a very VERY VERY busy, eventful time since we last put out a newsletter in late February. No, you haven’t missed March and April’s newsletter, they simply weren’t published. We attempted to do one in late March, but we were too swamped trying to get ready for both Norwescon and Spring Mysteries, on the same weekend, that we just gave it up. That was really something to see! Kyros and I divided up the stock in the store, packed it into boxes and vans, and left. When someone looked at my tables at Norwescon and realized that just as much stock was at SMF, he asked what was left in the store. I replied, "Chad!" Of course there were incense and candles, but very little else. Then, we had to put it all back again on Sunday! This is something I’d not like to repeat on a regular basis!

Also, Kyros and Chad moved again. We thought that was the end of our busy-ness, that we’d be able to get a newsletter out before Beltaine, until I got a call at 4 am that Kyros was in the hospital with a ruptured appendix! He went in April 11, got out April 15, and recuperated until May 7th at home. One good thing to come of this is, we got to meet his mother Mona, who flew in from Indiana for a week.

We’ve had other sad news. Not only did we lose Widdershins, but Crystal Dolphin as well, both in Bellingham. Then, we heard that Aum-nee in Freighthouse Square in Tacoma had closed. Our string of metaphysical stores was stretched very thin even before this. On a brighter note, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church is soon to open a book and gift store in Bremerton. We wish them luck and will let you know its name and location as soon as we can.

On the plus side, though, we acquired many books from Widdershins that we haven’t previously in our store. Come in and see them.

All the new lines that Kyros ordered in January are in now, as well as a secondary wave of stock we ordered after our two events. Lots of new, neat stuff to browse through. See What’s New further on in the OATH.

With Kyros recuperating, it’s a little hard to get tarot readings, so call at least a day ahead for an appointment, please. My rune readings are usually available without an appointment, though I still have to answer phones and such during them. Tarot readings are $20, rune reading $10.

June 10 is our next COUPON DAY, when a purchase of $25 or more will get you a coupon for a free tarot or rune reading, to use yourself or give as a present.

Our GENERAL DISCUSSION GROUP is going strong every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. We usually have 15-30 participants, discussing everything and anything! (I’m still not sure how we got on quilting and embroidery, and that was just the men!) Everyone is welcome. Bring your own questions or just join in when you feel like it. Y’all come!

Another PAGAN DISCUSSION GROUP is beginning June 1, on Saturdays from 5-7 p.m. This will be more focused on Pagan and Wiccan subjects than our regular group. Kyros is running it and has lots of plans. Come to the first or second meeting to contribute organizing ideas, or just come when you can. You can call the store for the next meeting’s subject, so that you can be prepared to participate.

A new activity has started up at OAT: ROCK SHOWS! Our first one was in March, when we decided to invite a few known rock fanciers from among our regular customers to sit in while John Taylor ran a ton of rocks past us. Starting at 9:30 at night, we finally disbanded at 1 am. We had such a good time, and all in attendance wanted to do it again, so we had another one in April. Our format was a little different, though. This time, we laid out the rocks and ran the buyers past them! It worked so much better, too. Our only problem was that we had very little lead time to notify people. Soooo, we have set up our next rock show for July 27, an all day event on a Saturday. Please put the date on your calendar if you are interested in seeing lots of rocks and many superb specimen rocks (large, expensive, beautiful). We will tell you again about it in the newsletter, of course. John Taylor will be there to tell you what each rock is and what it is good for, as well as where it comes from and how it was formed. He’s a fountain of information; we learn so much from him each time he’s in the store. A WARNING ABOUT PRICING: John Taylor’s prices are our wholesale cost. In order to pay for the space, prices to customers are half again the marked price, plus tax. This is still below our normal retail, but it’s something to be aware of when planning a budget for the trip.

Speaking of the store, we’ve rearranged it again. We heard about a store selling its fixtures off, bought several new display pieces, sold off the large glass case we had, then spent three days rearranging the store! We have a lot more room to move around in now. The sale table has moved to the front corner, the register and magazine/newspaper rack moved to the back of the store, and the North Puget Sound AIDS Foundation Booksale has moved onto a bookcase all its own (SF books are still only $1 and all proceeds go to them). You’ll have to come in and see for yourself.

I’ve been to two concerts in the last month that were outstanding: Heather Alexander and the Seattle Men’s Chorus. WOW! Heather puts on a show that leaves you breathless and is loads of fun to attend. The Beyond the Edge Cafe was packed with her fans and we all had a ball. She’s a classy lady with a baudy sense of humor and a fast retort for all the wisecracks flying her way from the audience. She did several songs from the new Muppet movie, too, which we hadn’t seen at that point. The SMC concert was... indescribable! My friends will not have any problem getting me to any future concerts!

This promises to be a rather full summer for out-of-the-store events. Chad will be doing several psychic fairs a month, including a large event called Convergence on Memorial weekend (I’ll be at Folklife Festival at Seattle Center, listening to music and drumming).

June will be quite interesting! One of our biggest SCA events of the year is June Faire in Poulsbo, the first weekend in June, then from June 6 until June 17, much of the store will be set up near Vancouver, WA at the SCA Thirty Year Celebration (during which Chad has three psychic fairs). Third weekend in June is the Fantasy Faire we all enjoyed so much last year, in Kirkland. The last Sunday of the month is the Gay Pride Parade and Festival in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. Also in June, Kyros is going to a metaphysical gift show in Denver and we all get to celebrate Summer Solstice! Can we say there’s no time to breathe, let alone do laundry in June?

July has four psychic fairs, two large SCA events in Orting, Independence Day, and John Taylor’s Rock Show, plus a Blue Moon. That’s a second full moon within any given calendar month. I don’t even want to think about August and September yet! See What’s Happening for specific dates and contact numbers.

We got a nice thank you note from the Everett Theatre Society thanking us for our contributions to their fund-raising auction. Altogether, they raised $11,000 toward the operation and restoration of the Historic Everett Theatre. Check out their Classic Movie Series and their Foreign Film Series, and be watching for their numerous special events, like the audience-participation murder mystery and special holiday shows.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wow! Our first birth announcements (we’re expecting several more soon from friends).

Congratulations to Killian and Genevra Bloodstorm (SCA names) on the birth of Duncan Liam Brown on April 12 at 4:57 p.m. His stats: 7 lb. 5 oz, 20 1/4”.  When all three were in the store recently, Genevra said she thought little Duncan will be the perfect tourney baby: feed him and he’s happy! There is also talk of a betrothal in the wind. We hope to see them all at Thirty Year Celebration in June.

Also recently from the stork, Daniel James Walz, 7 lb., 2 oz, born at 7:50 p.m. on May 11th, 1996, son of Sarah and Jim Walz.  Congratulations!! 

Our first loss is in this issue also. Joe Sharp, from Snohomish Health District and the North Puget Sound AIDS Foundation lost his partner, Charles Rogers, after a long illness. The following is in his memory: 

Chuck was born on July 23, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY, and was adopted at the age of six days by Charles and Isabel Rogers. At the age of 2 he went with his family overseas and lived in Rio for 5 years, London 7 years and spent 2 years at school in Switzerland. The family moved back to the States where he attended the last two years of high school in Scarsdale, NY. Chuck graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from US International University, San Diego in 1972. Chuck went back to London to study art from 1974-75. In 1978 he attended Broadcasting school in San Jose, worked in the Bay Area from 1978-84. He then moved to the Everett area and started working with King Broadcasting as a producer. He retired from King in August of 1988 and then continued working in his first love, oil portraits. Chuck is survived by his brother Jim and his wife Nancy, nephew Marsh, aunt Eilene, his life partner Joe Sharpe and many friends. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations may be made in Chuck’s name to the North Puget Sound AIDS Foundation, PO Box 526, Everett, WA 98206. A Celebration of Life Service was held in Marysville. 

MAY 10-25 - “YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU” by Hart and Kaufman, comedy stage play at the the Historic Everett Theatre, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. $6 + one item of non-perishable food for the VOA Food Bank. Info, 258-6766. 

MAY 23-27 - COSTUME CON 14, a convention dedicated to costumes and costumers, at the Seattle Marriott SeaTac Airport. Info: Costume Con 14, PO Box 1095, Renton, WA 98057-1095 or email: CostumeC14@aol.com. George Fowler, of Fowler’s Dry Cleaners will be speaking on several panels. 

MAY 24-26 - NORTHWEST ASTROLOGICAL CONFERENCE in Seattle. List of guests includes Maria Simms (Circle of the Cosmic Muse), Jeff Green (Pluto), Michael Munkasey (Astrological Thesaurus) and Gloria Star (Optimum Child). For information, call (206) 633-4907. 

MAY 24-27 - FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL at Seattle Center, ALL of it! This is a HUGE FREE annual event that packs all the finest musicians in the Northwest (and elsewhere), the best dancing troupes, venders of ethnic stuff, craftsmen of bygone skills like spinning, and lots of ethnic food venders, all into one place that you can sample with 100,000 of your closest friends! Also, they have an instrument auction that is a blast! Call the store for more information. 

MAY 25-27 - CONVERGENCE FAIRE, a New Age fair and exposition in Ocean Shores. This is one of the largest psychic fairs of the year in the Puget Sound Region. Chad and Kyros will be at this event. For more information, we have fliers in the store, or you can call Light House Promotions at (206) 764-1813. OAT will be closed May 25th and 27th. 

MAY 29 - CHAD’S BIRTHDAY. 

MAY 29 - DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, 7 p.m. We talk about what is of interest to those attending (besides Chad’s birthday...). Everyone is welcome. Ending time is whenever, but usually between 9 and 10 p.m. MAY 31 - JUNE 2 - JUNE FAIRE, a very large SCA demo event in Poulsbo, open to the public on Sat. and Sun. A very fun event that Orion, Margie, John and Melody will be doing. JUNE 1 - PAGAN/WICCA DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, beginning at 5 p.m. This is the first meeting of a new discussion group that is strictly Pagan. Subjects will be decided on for future meetings so that you can research the topic. The subject of this first meeting will be basic definitions, i.e. What is Pagan, Wiccan, etc. JUNE 1 - DAVID ROSARIO IN CONCERT. Tenor in concert with show tunes, standards and operatic arias. $10. Info, 258-6766. JUNE 5 - DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, 7 pm. JUNE 6 - 17 - THIRTY YEAR CELEBRATION, a HUGE SCA event that will draw people from all over the country and several foreign countries! They are expecting 80 merchants and over 20,000 people! Orion and Margie will be at this one. Call the store for more information. JUNE 7-9 - Film ANGELS & INSECTS, part of the Alternative Film Series. Drama, at the Historic Everett Theatre. Info, 258-6766. JUNE 8 - SOUL LIGHT PSYCHIC FAIRE. Chad will be at this event. See the article further on in the newsletter. JUNE 9 - “WORKING WITH YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES I”, a class about auras, chakras, etc., presented by Rita Louise. 10 am to 4 p.m., $40 ($50 at door). Call (206) 355-9399 for location. JUNE 10 - COUPON DAY JUNE 11 - SECOND THURSDAY ART WALK in downtown Everett, from 5 - 9 p.m. Come in to the store to see an exhibit of Reva Stone’s wire sculptures, then follow the arrows to other stores with new delights in art for you. JUNE 12 - KYROS’ BIRTHDAY. JUNE 12 - DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, 7 p.m. We talk about what is of interest to those attending (besides Kyros’ Birthday). JUNE 14-15 - H.O.W. (Hands Off Washington) RUMMAGE SALE, in conjunction with the Marysville Unitarian Universalist Church. Donations needed, also volunteers. Call Pam at (360) 568-5105. To donate, call Rev. Amanda Aikman at the church, 659-6621. JUNE 14-16 - CAN’T HELP SINGIN’-THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN, presented by professional entertainers. Historic Everett Theatre. Info, 258-6766. JUNE 15 - PAGAN/WICCA DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, starting at 5 p.m. JUNE 15 - GAY BINGO, proceeds to benefit Seattle’s Chicken Soup Brigade. For info and group reservations, call 323-0069. JUNE 15 - ANACORTES PSYCHIC FAIR, presented by Rita Louise and the Eternal Flame. Chad will be at this event, so if there is anyone up north that you think would like to attend, let them know! We have fliers in the store with more information. JUNE 19 - DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, 7 p.m. JUNE 19 - ATC SPIRIT SERIES, 7 p.m., at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, Washington State’s oldest legally recognized Wiccan Church. This free lecture series is offered the third Wednesday of each month and is presented by Pat Pathfinder and Blacksun. For more information, call (360) 793-1945 or local recorded message at (206) LA-PAGAN. JUNE 19 - “DISEASE - ITS CAUSE, ITS CURE”, a class about energy and its uses, presented by Rita Louise. 7 - 9 p.m., $7 ($10 at door). Call (206) 355-9399 for location. JUNE 20 - Film THE BANDWAGON, starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, part of the Classic Film Series at the Historic Everett Theatre. Info, 258-6766. JUNE 21 - SUMMER SOLSTICE (LITHA). JUNE 20 - HIV & AIDS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets on the third Thursday of each month, 4-6 p.m., in perpetuity...until the cure! Meetings at the Senior Center. Info on this and other events is available by calling 376-4548. JUNE 21-30 - Play GREATER TUNA, a live comedy, at the Historic Everett Theatre. Info, 258-6766. JUNE 22 - PAGAN/WICCA DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, beginning at 5 p.m. JUNE 22-23 - FANTASY FAIRE put on by the Seattle Knights and the Centaurian Guard of The Fantasy Alternative. Orion and Margie will be doing this one. It was a whole lot of fun last year, full of horses, fantasy characters, live steel sword fights, archery, magic, and much more! The location is the Eastside Riding Academy, 5800 125th Lane NE in Kirkland, from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for teens, $5 for 8 yrs and up, and free for under 8. Info, (206) 522-1290. JUNE 22 - PAGAN/WICCA DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, beginning at 5 p.m. JUNE 26 - DISCUSSION GROUP in the store, 7 p.m. JUNE 30 - GAY PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL in Volunteer Park in Seattle. We enjoyed this event immensely last year (and had sunburns to prove it!). We won’t be doing this event as a store this year, but may go anyway. JULY 5 and AFTER - WATERLINE PROJECT ON COLBY! The City of Everett will be renovating the water lines from Pacific Ave. to 25th Street. Hopefully, the work will take place from 6 p.m. to 5 am, but this is still in flux. What this means is that there will sometimes be no sidewalks or parking spaces (and the trees will disappear, too), in our block on both sides of the street! The trees will be replaced, old-fashioned lighting fixtures added, and more parking spaces than before will be put in. It may be hard to get into our store and the parking will be off Colby for a while, but please persevere! We can hope that the inconvenience will be limited to the two weeks they promised us. If you need to, please feel free to call ahead in July for a current update on the street situation. JULY 6 - NORTH END PSYCHIC FAIR in Lynnwood. Look for Chad here. JULY 8 - COUPON DAY JULY 12, 13 - “A GREATER BLESSING”, the new one-man show by Michael Callahan, in which he portrays 10 characters who have been affected by HIV-AIDS, as well as sharing stories of his own life as an HIV-positive man living in the world today. Performances at the Group Theatre at Seattle Center. Tickets $15/Friday, $25/Saturday (this one includes the reception afterwards). Event benefits the Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan Chapter of PFLAG. Call Peggy at (206) 323-5591 for reservations. JULY 12-14 - GUARD WAR, a large SCA event in Orting, WA. JULY 13 - SOUL LIGHT PSYCHIC FAIR in Kirkland. Look for Chad here. JULY 14 - “WORKING WITH YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES I”, first in a series of two. See June 9 above. Call (206) 355-9399 for location. JULY 17 - “DISCOVERING YOUR PAST LIVES”, a class presented by Rita Louise. 7 - 9 p.m., $7 ($10 at door). Call (206) 355-9399 for location. JULY 20 - ANACORTES PSYCHIC FAIR. Look for Chad here. JULY 27 - IN-STORE ROCK SHOW with John Taylor. LOTS of rocks and crystals! See Orion’s Quiver for more information on this event. JULY 27-28 - HIGHLAND GAMES in Enumclaw, WA. Come see the gathering of the clans in the Pacific NW, with dancing, sheep dog, and bagpipe band competitions, as well as exhibits and vendors. This is the largest one of the many in the NW and a whole lot of fun! AUGUST 11 - “WORKING WITH YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES II”, the second in the series, a class presented by Rita Louise. First class given June 9 and July 14, above. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $40 ($50 at door). Call (206) 355-9399 for location. AUGUST 16-18 - VIKINGCON 16 at Western Washington University, Bellingham. Featuring Freeman Dyson, Greg Bear and Betty Bigelow. $25 membership. Info (360) 738-9898. E-mail: sffc@cc.wwu.edu. SEPT. 13-15 - MOSCON 18 at University Inn Best Western, Moscow, ID. This is a Science Fiction convention noted for its laid-back atmosphere. Guests include David Weber and Norma & Edgar Barrett- Lincoln. Membership $25. Info: (509)334-4434. OCT. 24-27 - NORTHSTAR 1, a science fiction convention at Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Vancouver, BC. Guests include S.M. Stirling, R. Graeme Cameron, and Dr. Ray Villard. Membership is $35. Info (604) 280-2801 or US (800) 665-5454, or WWW: http://www.computel.com/~mimick/Star. 

I don’t know where to start! So much has come in and continues to come in, that I’m just spinning! Restocks that are in: scented votive candles, including lavender, leather, lemon, orange spice, sea breeze, seascape, eucalyptus, tuberose, French vanilla, strawberry and vanilla, amber, and wisteria; Coventry Creations and Spiritual Essences ritual pillar candles, Darwin car plaques; new attitude buttons, and Nag Champa incense sticks (in new sized boxes). Well, the refrigerator magnet sets, called Fridge Fun, finally came in, and are they FUN! The subjects we ordered were X-Files, Astrology, Dirty Talk, Gay Talk, Mythology, and Computers. All fine and dandy, but they sent us Tool Talk to use for examples. Well, we got out the metal plates Brittany Bell made for us to use for display and tried to make up messages. Not as easy as it sounds, using Tool Talk! It seemed like it took three of us a good long while to come up with a message that was PG-rated, using words having to do with tools and building. If you think it’s easy, YOU come in and work on it! We have new styles of brass censors in, too, some that hang and some that stand. These are larger than we had before, and one of the hanging ones has mother-of-pearl inlays. Another hangs, but it has a pedestal, too. Kathleen Visel came through with a new assortment of necklaces, many with earrings to match, lots of new hairsticks and new, bright eyeglass holders that are perfect for the sunglasses we’re beginning to need. The necklaces are made of natural stones and built on themes that she channels. The ones I’m most attracted to are those for Flow and Healing. We have lots of others, too, including Grounding and Growth. Styles range from simple necklaces to lariat necklaces to a version that has built in pendulums. Two jewelry reps from out of state came through, so we are restocked on silver Pagan rings of various images, hematite bands, pentacle pins, Pegasus and sun necklaces, and new earrings (Pegasus, unicorns, stars, amethysts). We were down to almost zilch on our mandalas, but we’ve received a new shipment, including lots of necklaces and bracelets with amethyst, azurite, turquoise and snowflake obsidian stones. Rocks and crystals! Lots and lots of new stuff! Partial list: Botswana agate, blue and honey calcite, smoky quartz spheres and chunks (one with a white cauldera within a faceted smoky quartz dome), new Chinese fluorite slabs, and a chunk of green fluorite with pyrite. Come and see for yourself. New incense from Shoyeido called Magnifiscents: the Jewel Series. Scents come in Amethyst for Balance, Emerald for Awareness, Ruby for Strength, Diamond for Power, and Sapphire for Devotion. Their base ingredient seems to be Sandalwood, with various other scents and spices added. In appearance, they are like stick incense without the stick. A little ceramic holder comes in each box. They are easy to light and leave only a little ash behind. We especially like Emerald and Amethyst. Moon Whispers is a new line of essential oils from Soul Light. According to the information the comes with the box of 4 vials of oil, these may be used as personal scents, to oil ritual candles, and for meditation. The oils are formulated for each phase of the moon and help you better align yourself to the moon’s energies. To quote the literature: “Working with Moon Energy is an acknowledgment of the total cycle, and emphasizes awareness of the appropriate timing for all actions. New Moon/First Quarter is a time to focus on the hidden, the invisible, and the initial stages of anything. At Full Moon/Last Quarter, it is time to focus on visible accomplishments, completion of projects, and releasing of outmoded actions. During the New Moon phase, focus on brainstorming and allowing new ideas to flow. During the First Quarter, watch your ideas take on a more tangible form, identify your actual next steps, and take initiating actions. During the Full Moon phase, move into action and do what you must do to follow through on your ideas. At the Last Quarter, continue to act but also begin reflecting on the results of your actions, release ineffective plans, and be open to new moon whispers that will lead to your next cycle.” But, wait! There’s more! We finally got in the long-promised Unicorn Tarot deck and Dragon Tarot deck, as well as the Hudes Tarot deck (a Renaissance tarot deck) and the Ancestral Path Tarot deck. The Unicorn deck is very nice. The Dragon deck is very dark in color, but the images are beautiful and each card has several symbols for deeper meanings. The artwork is very reminiscent of Magic Cards. The Ancestral Path cards were bought before I even finished checking the shipping invoice! I hope to have more in very soon! By the way, I recently found out that books for the Dragon and Ancestral decks have just become available, so I will be ordering them soon. See elsewhere in this newsletter for a review of The Other People, a Pagan-slanted religious tract that is inexpensive ($.50) and suitable for handing out to your family and even to strangers who proselytize you. We are getting several free Pagan publications these days: Open Ways, out of Oregon; PaganNet News, from the East Coast; Roundtable, from Quantum Books in Mount Vernon; and Cronies, from the Pagan community in Bellingham. Also new is Metathesis, an alternative quarterly review out of Moving Books in Seattle, featuring reviews on books about biography, fiction, future studies, music and spirituality. From ATC (Aquarian Tabernacle Church) we’ve recently received calendars that list all the ATC events, plus moon phases and Pagan holidays. 

New books, of course! We have finally started our Pagan Fiction Section. It’s small but growing. Kyros and Orion have read several novels recently that we want to add to the section and we’re continually looking for others. If you have read any that you’d like to recommend (and write a review for the OATH?), let us know. 

We’ve also recently gotten new shipments of the Witches Bible Complete, The Book of Shadows and the Witches Almanac. I think I’ll stop now, before this fill up the entire newsletter! Come in a see all the new stuff for yourself. 

The Community at Large 

Where are we? I hear so much about the population of gays and pagans in the United States, and across the world, but when one of us needs help, where are we to turn in our own home towns? 

It seems that the LesBiGayTr community is about 15 years ahead of the Pagans. Publications like the Pink Pages and the Gay Yellow Pages coming this summer provide a listing of advertisers out of the closet wanting to be recognized and noticed. Doctors, lawyers and other professional people are getting the clue that they can cater to their own. 

From the Pagan side, publications like Open Ways down in Oregon, PagaNet News from the East Coast, Connections from Colorado and a multitude of others seem specifically designed around local communities centered either around the Circles, Groves and Covens, or the stores that cater to the their needs. Formal magazines like Green Egg, Circle Network News and a few scattered others provide news of specific churches and groups that have formed splinter groups around the country, and sometimes around the world, and they provide thought-provoking and informative articles for the community that reads them. 

But what about the rest of the community at large? Where are the Pagan doctors, lawyers, and other service providers that have been advertising in the Gay community? Where is a Pagan to go when he/she wants to talk to a professional, but wants his/her beliefs accepted and respected? Isn’t it time that people in those fields came out of the broom closet to be recognized and noticed? There are several groups that are coming out with directories for the Pagan community: 

From Green Egg Magazine, March/April 1996, “Who’s Who of the Wiccan Community - All Wiccans and Magickal Folks from around the world are invited to participate in this new project by Gerina Dunwich. There is no charge whatsoever to be listed in the book. If interested, please send a SASE for a listing form to: Gerina Dunwich, POB 525, Fort Covington, NY 12937.” 

Also from GE, “Pagani Worldwide" is the new Pagan Yellow Pages. Isn’t it just about time? Call or write: POB 40972, Eugene, OR 97404. (541) 688-9183.” 

And in the Everett and the Puget Sound area, we are working with a group called Traditions down in Tacoma to form our own listing. Please feel free to contact the store for more information in the coming months, as this project gets off the ground. I am currently working on networking guides focused on Snohomish County, Washington that I am putting up on the World Wide Web, and may eventually print for distribution if I can get enough interest. If you or someone you know has a service or business that is proud to cater to either the Gay or Pagan communities in Snohomish County, please give me a call, or have them contact me. See you Online!!! 

SOUL LIGHT PSYCHIC FAIR 

The Soul Light Psychic Fair is held every second Saturday at the Best Western Hotel in Kirkland. Admission is $2, which includes a drawing for a free Tarot reading. Reading types range widely, including Numerology, Tarot (Healing Earth and Rider Waite Tarots), Medicine Cards, Angel Worker and Spirit Guide Communication, Clairvoyant, Psychometry and Pendulum readings (no rune readers yet). One of the more interesting talents is a Bard Channeler, who will sing a song especially for you with the words being a channeled message from your own guides. Angels also have a strong presence, with one reader doing portraits of what she sees from a conversation with you and your guides, several dealers with gifts based on Angels, and many of the table readers who are able to communicate with spirit guides. Among the vendors are two sets of jewelry dealers, one concentrating on gem rings and the other on a line of silver jewelry by Ivy Lane. One of the most interesting and useful items that I saw was called Herbasaurs, herbal medicine and nutritional supplements for kids. It looks like the Flintstones have gone New Age, and the packages are designed to explain herbal subjects to children. Who says you have to be a adult to enjoy Alternative Medicine? The fair has had some minor trouble in the last few months, with people taking down the advertising signs and other similar silly things. If you have the time, stop in and say hello. Or, even if you can’t come down, put us on your calendar and send us positive energy. 

Eye on Congress 

The following paragraph is part of an initiative to the people of Washington State. It should speak for itself. 

PROHIBITING SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR HOMOSEXUALS. Neither the state of Washington, nor its political subdivisions, including counties, cities, towns, and school districts, shall by any means or instrumentality, enact or enforce a policy whereby any homosexual, bisexual, transsexual, or transvestite status, preference, orientation, conduct, act, practice, or relationship shall be a basis for a person to maintain any special classification or privilege; minority status; quota preference; affirmative action right; legal standing; public benefit; marital, spousal, parental, familial, or domestic privilege, advantage, entitlement, benefit, position, or status; claim of discrimination; or special right or protection. Let me paraphrase this in one way that might spark some interest: "(Nobody) shall by any means ... enact or enforce a policy whereby (anybody associated with the LesBiGayTr community) {snip} (shall be allowed to) maintain {snip} parental {snip} status {snip}.” At least that’s one way I read that. I don't have children yet, but I don't want anybody else to be able to say that I am not allowed to be a father when I do have the chance to be one. Please, let’s spread the word The Initiative is #669, filed in February. I have the entire text (as usual) if you are interested, or it is available at your local library, or online at http://leginfo.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/initiatives/650- 674/initiative_669_031496 

BELTAINE WITH CUUPS 

About 15 of us gathered at OAT Sunday, April 28, to carpool to the CUUPS open Beltaine. Luckily, the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. This was a very impromptu trip, with barely any advance warning to either our readers or our customers. We hope to do better in the future! We found the event at Woodland Park easily, arriving very early (so I’m conservative - I figured I’d get lost AT LEAST once!). A picnic shelter was being organized, the May Pole set up, drummers practicing, food being prepared, and flowered circlets being made by one and all from provided lilacs, tulips, ferns, and other greenery, as well as ribbons. The chants or songs that were to be used in the ceremony were posted for all. As more and more people arrived, everyone was busy making new acquaintances and renewing old ties. A very merry scene, indeed! Before the main ritual, everyone was gathered together for instructions and explanations and introductions. Entering in a parade through a gate, we all circled around the May Pole. The circle was cast, quarters called, humming and singing occurred. The Lord and Lady were invited in and crowned and delightfully portrayed. All were invited to add flowers to their crowns. Then it was time for the May Pole dance! What fun, even to watch! The brightly colored ribbons were woven in and out by 22 people, resulting in much merriment and a lovely wrapped May Pole. A highlight for me was the Spiral Dance led by the Lord and Lady. I can now see why people have been enthusiastic about this particular ceremony. It is high energy and very affecting. At the end of many loops and switchbacks and circles, we all fell down to ground the energy. WOW! Another highlight was the leaping of the flaming cauldron by pairs or singles, making a wish as they leapt. This is not something I’d ordinarily recommend in a long loose-fitting robe, but it was accomplished safely enough, some springing high, others leaping and tumbling like acrobats, still others barely clearing it, like me! At the end, we circled up again, thanked the quarters, grounded, and closed, exiting through the gate again. All in all, a very satisfying ritual, accomplished with a good pace, lots of fun, and meaning. Afterward, food and good fellowship were shared until the day began to cool and we broke up. It was interesting performing a ritual in a public place. Occasionally, bicyclists and walkers would stop to stare, dogs and children buzzed about the perimeter. None stayed long, however. After a short while, it didn’t matter whether anyone was watching or not. It was fun, very affecting, and well worth the time and effort to attend. I’d recommend going to future CUUPS open events. If the information isn’t in our newsletter regarding a particular Sabbat, give the store a call to see if we are going in a group or not. At least you’ll get directions and dates for the events. 

The
WE-ARE-GOING-TO-GET-TOGETHER-AND-DO-SOMETHING-DAMMIT
Group 

I’ve had so many people come into the store asking what is there to do in the Gay community in Everett? And I have to answer, “Well, besides the tavern, nothing.” That’s about to change, with your help. The idea here is to have fun in a group situation. You needn’t be gay to participate, but tolerance is a must. Basically, I’d like to set up a phone tree that would notify everyone of an upcoming event of interest, where to meet and when. The rest is up to the individual, to come or not. No one is in charge, no one has the sole responsibility for organizing the activity. We’re all in it for the fun of it! What a concept! Some suggested activities: tour metaphysical shops on the north and east sides of Seattle; go to swap meets and yard sales (Ah, the picture that conjures up, of car loads of us invading a yard sale like a group of hungry locusts!); movies; fairs; SCA events; and festivals. I’m sure this only scratches the surface of stuff we’d all enjoy a lot more doing in a group of congenial friends. So, what do you do to get in on this? Call the store and ask to be put on the phone tree list. Also indicate if you’d like to be a caller for 5 to 10 names. That’s easy enough, isn’t it? So what are you waiting for, call the store now! 

BECOMING INDEPENDENTLY HEALTHY WITH HERBS 

by Gayle Eversole, Phd, Master Herbalist and Natural Healer (OATH welcomes a new columnist, Gayle Eversole, to our newsletter.) 

Natural Healing with herbs is an age old tradition. Herbs are the gifts given to us to nourish our bodies and maintain a state of well-being. We know of over three hundred thousand herbs. Hippocrates used twenty-nine herbs and their combinations in his healing work. Each herb is not superior to another but has its own use and function. Perhaps looking at an important herb from each major category is a way to know what to keep on hand for health and emergency. The ten categories are alternatives; astringents; cathartics; diaphoretics; diuretics; emmenagogues; expectorants/demulcents; antispasmodics; stimulants; and tonics. Alteratives are herbs which are used to cleanse and purify blood and lymph. When the bloodstream and lymph system is clean and pure, disease cannot exist. This is important today with the overwhelming number of bacteria unable to be treated by standard antibiotic therapies. Treatment with this class of herbs is used for internal and external problems. All the major organs of elimination in the body are affected by blood cleansing or alterative herbs. One very beneficial herb in this class is plantain. It is known to be useful for poisonous bites and stings (the mongoose naturally uses plantain to treat snake bite); thrush; eczema; ulcers; wounds; burns; diarrhea; and many other conditions. It is generally used as an infusion or poultice. The leaves and seeds are the medicinal parts used. You may even find this in your lawn. Your questions on herbs can be addressed to me in care of Orion at Twilight. Consultations are by appointment. Herbs, nutritional supplements, and wellness products are available from NorthCreek Herbal. 

THE OTHER PEOPLE 

Been bothered by people handing you tracts of religious material on the street, in public places, in your own homes? Those comic book-like depictions of hellfire seem to pop up everywhere, attacking everyone’s religion except their particular brand. And until now, Pagans haven’t had much defense against them. Well, that’s not true anymore! Pete Pathfinder Davis of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church has just published The Other People, an educational tract of our very own that proves, using the Bible as authority, why we do NOT need to be “saved”. This is the first in a series of Pagan educational tracts planned from Pathfinder Press. The story, written by Oberon Zell, is told in 20 pages of cartoon-like panels by artist Don Lewis, and follows the visit of a pair of missionaries to the home of a well-read Pagan couple. Quoting directly from their own Bible, the couple proves to the ministers that Pagans, “the other people”, are not subject to Yahweh and Original Sin, and are therefore in no need of being saved. Besides being informative, it is amusing. The booklet does NOT proselytize for Paganism, since we believe that any faith, if followed sincerely, leads back to the Source. These tracts are small, about 2” x 4”, printed on white stock, and available in our store for $.50 each. Get some to pass out as inspiration requires. 

Uncommon Sense 

It’s been said that Adolf Hitler’s most villainous legacy was reserved for book reviewers: “Every few years, we’re forced to read a new spate of biographies about him.” For our crowd, the European Witch Hunts form an exact parallel. Having just boned up on the subject for panel discussions at a recent Sci-Fi Convention, I can tell you that even the best writing can sicken you when the subject is such a ghastly one. You find yourself longing for something other than well-documented horror in the records, some small thing to restore even a little of your faith in what Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature”. Just one small item... Well, I found that very thing. It’s the story of a small town where, over several centuries, local authorities saved many lives from witch-hunters by means of a nervy con game, one which could have backfired fatally, had it ever been exposed. You have to look hard for Oudewater on a map of the Netherlands. It’s in southwestern Utrecht, just a small place in the Low Countries with not much about it to draw modern-day attention. (Gouda, about ten klicks to the west, gets the visitors, owing to that town’s excellent cheeses.) The Inquisitions put places like Oudewater in a nasty bind. There was a lot of pressure to visibly respond to witch-hunts, and never mind that the local people may want no part of such a thing. After all, people who didn’t believe in Satanic witchcraft were guilty of heresy, itself punishable by death. What’s a town supposed to do? Oudewater’s visible solution was to test the accused by weighing them. It was a common practice, based on the notion that true witches couldn’t be too heavy to fly on broomsticks. (That apparently passed for logic in an Inquisition, luckily, as things turned out.) The accused was fitted with a light cotton shift, decorously searched for hidden weights, and placed on the scales. While it sounds exactly like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the powers that were in Oudewater added a nice variation: the subject was measured according to a simple weight-to-height ratio, which all but the most undernourished would exceed. They were then given a quite handsome parchment document, stating that the weightmasters of Oudewater declared them forever innocent of the possibility of Satanic Witchcraft. The newly-acquitted then dressed and went their (no doubt) merry way. Two things emerged from this practice. First, no one was ever prosecuted for witchcraft in Oudewater - no one, over a period of probably three centuries! Second, the town did a very good tourist trade (this, in times when Europe’s transport systems could best be described as ‘almost nil’; people came from as far as Poland and Hungary to get tested. And, they kept on coming until at least the mid-eighteenth century.). It’s highly likely that someone, at some point, questioned whether the town’s witch-finding procedure was functioning correctly. After all, they’d point out, places like France, Germany and Spain were busily torturing and executing massive numbers of people. Clearly, something was wrong somewhere, they would probably observe. At which point, one suspects that some town leader or other would quietly pull the inquiring party aside and advise him not to muck up a good thing. Just a quiet word-in-the-ear can, after all, do wonders for all concerned, or bring unwanted and dangerous attention to a compassionate hustle... An irony: today’s ‘enlightened’ era of mass communication would have seen a loud whistle promptly blown on the Oudewater deception. And yet, the town’s officials brazenly kept up the scam for generations, and doubtless they saved many thousands of lives by so doing. An interesting paradox, no? 

The Sorceress' 
Apprentice Writes:

Movie: THE CRAFT, 

directed by Andrew Fleming; screenplay by Fleming and Peter Filari (original story by Filari). 
Stars Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True and Assumpta Serna. Rated ‘R’ for language, violence, sexual situations. 100 Minutes (approx.) 

I’ve been awaiting this film’s release without a lot of enthusiasm, based on Hollywood’s lousy track record of portraying both Pagany specifically and non-Christian spirituality in general. “How much drivel are we going to be correcting for the rest of the summer,” I moaned at least once, “because of this flick? “ Given that initial expectation, I’ll say that THE CRAFT got a lot of technical details right. The Threefold Law is pointed to in warning by a Pagan store owner (Assumpta Serna, in a performance which I’d love to hug her personally for), and the ritual details are plausible, albeit obviously filched from The Order Of The Golden Dawn. What I DO object to, technically, is the omission of The Goddess from anything in the script---that, plus the treatment of Magick-As-Toy-Set (as opposed to the magickal RELIGION which The Craft actually is), raised my hackles. More seriously, I was frankly angered at seeing a subject as complex as Craft/Pagany used for script fodder in what Orion described as ‘a teenage-date movie’. (O.A.T. has already had a few packs of teenage girls cruising the place looking for hex-and-curse material, based on what they’ve seen in the movie. No doubt there’ll be more.) The performances in THE CRAFT are all competent (Robin Tunney and Fairuza Balk are both terrific, with Neve Campbell and Rachel True giving solid support), but the story-line rehashes everything from CARRIE to THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (a lot of shots of Ms. Balk make her look just like Linda Blair in THE EXORCIST, a rip-off which most of the audiences are too young to spot). Moreover, the digital-effects work is just impressive enough to leave viewers visually dazzled, and not asking whether actual Witchcraft bears any relation to the stuff on that large screen in front of them. Maybe, just maybe, some bright screenwriter will see a market for something more authentic about The Craft Of The Wise (Ray Buckland’s occult fiction might adapt nicely, as could Rosemary Edghill’s detective stories of Bast The Witch). But, in an industry whose only responsibility is to make money for investors, I’m not holding out much hope. 

Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed by authors of articles do not necessarily... etc., etc. The Sorceress’ Apprentice gives several valid points of objection on the movie which I will concede, but, in my own opinion and Kyros’ as well, The Craft was a lot of fun, with good special effects, and shows several good things about Pagani in general that I thought I’d mention here. Sara, the “good witch”, learns that with great power comes great responsibility. And she comes out the best of the four. Nancy, the leader, who seems to want to use the knowledge and abilities gained to wage her own war against the world, gets what she deserves, as do the other two girls. This is a valuable lesson that all people should learn, and if it can be taught by this movie, so much the better. 

LIVING WITH AMETHYST 

by Amethyst 

When people say, “Why Amethyst?” I say, “Why not Amethyst?” There are so many wonderful things about it that most people never even knew. For starters, look at the color. So many gorgeous shades of purple! Did you know the color purple speaks to your subconscious mind? Purple makes you noticeable to other people. You stand out. It gives off the impression of self-assurance and hidden knowledge. Just try wearing the color sometime and see how people treat you. Then there are the things you can do with it aesthetically. You can put it in earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces. The list goes on and on. And the nice thing about amethyst jewelry is it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can generally get some really nice things for less than $100. After all, it is only a semi-precious stone. Now on to all the really neat stuff you and your amethyst can do together. It strengthens your third eye vision or intuitive sense. It is associated with your third eye or forehead chakra. I tend to wear quite a bit of amethyst and my husband says that when I’m not wearing it, I’m like a TV set that’s not hooked up to cable. Stuff comes in but it’s not too clear! There are other things you can do with amethyst, such as putting a piece under your pillow or next to your bed if you are suffering from headaches or bad dreams. Also, you can put a small piece in with any of your divinatory tools to help you see things a little more clearly. It’s even good for those people who overindulge in alcohol. But one of my favorite things about it is that it can change auras and the moods of those around it. If you do a lot of entertaining of friends, clients, and especially family, you may want to take a nice piece of amethyst and place it somewhere in the room. It will have a wonderful calming effect on everyone in the room. So now you know the wonders of living Amethyst. Enjoy and may the spirits be with you! 

SNO-ISLE NATURAL FOODS CO-OP SEEKS MEMBERS 

by Amy Winterscheidt 

Plans are well underway for the opening of the new Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op. The goal of this member-owned co-op is to serve Snohomish and Island Counties with organic fruits and vegetables, bulk grains, supplements and more; in other words, a full-service grocery located in our community, owned by our community! The planned location for the co-op is the Everett Public Market in downtown Everett. For months now, a group of dedicated people have been working (very hard!) behind the scenes to make this happen. Now is the time for community support. The co-op is seeking 2000 charter members by August 1, 1996, to make the Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op a reality. Membership in the co-op is $100. Puget Consumer Co-op (PCC) members can withdraw from PCC and have their PCC equity sent directly to SNFC (by calling PCC at 547-1222). Becoming a member now will provide needed start up capital for the store, in addition to allowing you to shop at other co-ops (such as PCC) at member prices. Want to join or need more information? Call 259-3798 or better yet, come to an informal potluck in the Everett Public Market held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Join us! 

COMMON BONDS 

Did you know that the concept of sacrifice is one shared by all religious faiths? Unfortunately, if the word is mentioned to a Christian (by a Pagan), it calls up negative images of bloody altars and death. Yet the idea of sacrifice, according to Webster’s, is the act of giving up something to get something else, or as a noun, the thing that you gave up. During Lent, many Christians give up something, i.e., chocolate, tobacco, alcohol, meat, whatever. I’ve never quite understood why. Many say it’s to prove themselves worthy of the sacrifice offered by Christ at Easter. The interesting thing about this, is that according to Christian doctrine, no one is truly worthy and the sacrifice was offered knowing this, out of love only. Now, before this begins to read like a Sunday School lesson from long ago (and I lose you altogether), try thinking about it from a strictly “mythological” point of view. The story of Easter, which mirrors the Old Testament story of the Passover (and a few others I could name), is no more unusual or unbelievable than that of the Winter King dying freely to give way to the Spring and Summer King, his death granting fertility for crops. It is no more hard to understand than Persephone agreeing to stay half the year in the Underworld if Hades allows her the other half above ground. Out of love for mankind, she sacrifices herself so that half the year will be warm. There is also the idea of “substitutional sacrifice” or “representative sacrifice”. This perhaps is more common to Christianity. I honestly don’t know. According to the Old Testament, the Israelites were told to sacrifice a spotless lamb and put the blood on their doorposts as a sign to the Death Angel that they were to be ‘passed over’ as true believers in Jehovah God. The blood was simply a sign of the sacrifice of something that had done no wrong, yet had died to provide protection against the Angel of Death. The idea of the ‘scapegoat’, where all those who had sinned placed their hands on the goat’s head, which was then sent into the wilderness to die in their place, is another example of this. What I find most frustrating is that many people who say they are Christians don’t see these stories for what they are. That is sad because many of them are the ones who have a problem even associating with Pagans, because they have such ‘weird’ beliefs. An interesting aside to this, is that in nature, selfless sacrifice is fairly common. Witness the mother bird who pretends to have a broken wing in order to lead a predator away from her nest, knowing she could very likely become dinner, but in her death, her offspring might survive. A true sacrifice out of nothing but love. Lastly, the idea of sacrifice in order to raise power is not normally encountered in Christianity. It seems to be more associated with other faiths. The only example I could recall, was that of fasting to strengthen one’s faith. I suppose that’s a form of sacrifice. If others exist in Christianity, it would make a fascinating subject for research. I’ll have to work on it. 

Thanks for listening. 

Robin White 

It’s Spring! The weather is getting warmer (and I’m shedding!).

I guess it’s one of the disadvantages of being a ‘fur person’. My two-legged actually tried to brush me this morning. She has the scars to prove it! Along with Spring, comes another holiday. The humans call it Easter. I don’t understand much about it except that it has to do with bunnies and eggs and chocolate. And they almost always have wonderful dinners to celebrate with extra goodies to share. One of the things I don’t like about this holiday, is that sometimes humans give gifts of baby animals to celebrate. This can be a good thing if they think about what they’re doing and act accordingly. Unfortunately, those baby animals grow up and aren’t quite as cute and cuddly to some. Maybe it would be better to give toy animals instead. Besides, these are fun for fur persons like me to play with. Spring is the time when there are baby animals everywhere I look. Ducks have nests of eggs, kittens and puppies are numerous. There are new bugs to chase and butterflies to watch. Even the spiders are increasing their number. And I do so love to chase spiders! I guess this is a round about way of making a plea for neutering and spaying. Kittens and puppies are quite fine, but there are already more than we need. And there are lots of low-cost places to have it done. I know I had kittens once, I don’t remember much about it. But I am very glad my two-legged decided to have that little problem solved for me. So...celebrate Spring, Solstice, Easter, whatever...and enjoy yourselves! Summer will be here soon and I predict that it will be a long, very hot one! Meow for now! Wendy Tiger 

Editor’s Note: I found this on the Web. I’d suggest reading the entire paragraph before making a judgment call. 

"By our own act of Assembly of 1705, c. 30, if a person brought up in the Christian religion denies the being of God, or the Trinity, or asserts there are more gods than one, or denies the Christian religion to be true, or the Scriptures to be of divine authority, he is punishable on the first offense by incapacity to hold any office or employment, ecclesiastical, civil, or military; on the second, by disability to sue, to take any gift or legacy, to be guardian, executor, or administrator, and by three years' imprisonment without bail. A fathers right to the custody of his own children being founded in law on his right of guardianship, this being taken away, they may of course be severed from him, and put by the authority of the court, into more orthodox hands. This is a summary view of that religious slavery under which a people have been willing to remain, who have lavished their lives and fortunes for the establishment of civil freedom." 

Thomas Jefferson, in his "Notes on Virginia," (pp. 234-237) 

Editor’s Note: This article came to us too late to get into the Calendar, but we thought we’d mention it here at the end. 

An exhibit called Star Trek®: Federation Science is now showing at the Pacific Science Center (May 25-Sept. 2), giving you all the opportunity to “boldly go where no one has gone before”. This nationally traveling exhibit will allow visitors to navigate through an asteroid field, program a voice activated computer, turn into a Klingon, visually beam onto an alien planet, command a starship, and see close up the props and costumes actually used in Star Trek: The Next Generation® and Star Trek® movies. The Pacific Science Center is at 200 Second Ave. N. in Seattle (206/443-2001. Hours of exhibit: 10 am - 5 pm, Mon.-Fri.; 10 am - 6 p.m., Sat., Sun., and holidays. Admission is $6.50/adults, $5.50/age 6-13 and seniors, and $3.50/age 2-5. That includes exhibits and a planetarium show. For $2 more, you can see an IMAX or laser matinee. For group rates, call 206/443-3625. Web site: http://www.pacsci.org. This looks like a lot of fun. Why not get a group together and go exploring?