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WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 2 ISSUE 22 Whispering Grey Matters ISSUE 22: SUMMER SOLSTICE 2009 Literal Magic STAFF CONTENTS Faculty Advisors: Editor’s Article: World Shrinking .............................. 3 Moonwriter & Jymi X/0 NEWS Editor-In-Chief: Obama Open to Differences ................................... 4 Starwynd Panther Order of the Jedi ............................................. 5 Planetary Symbolism in CS Lewis’ Narnia ................. 6 Publisher: Jymi X/0 New Maze to Appease Past Crimes ....................... 7 Assistant Publishers: Laneth, Calyxa Prominent Wiccan Converts to Christianity ............ 8-10 WIZARDRY Copy Editor: silverlocke The Solstice of the Summer ............................ 11 GSW Desk Ancient Runes Today: The Balance of Opposites ....... 12 Editor: Silver Raven Tarot: The World ................................................ 13 Staff Writers: Sapphire Soleil SCIENCE The Sun: A Look at Our Favorite Star ..................... 14 NEWS Desk The Magickal Sun .......................................... 15 Editor: Belenus The Melting Polar Ice .................................. 16 Staff Writers: Sapphire Soleil, Silverlocke Large Hadron Collider ........................................ 17 WIZARDING Desk FOOD Section Editor: Pratus Ater Lupus Growing Your Own Herbal Tea .............................. 18 Staff Writers: Jymi X/0, Areeya Fruit-Based Summer Beverages ........................... 19 A Magical Grimoire of Summer Fruits ................ 20-21 SCIENCE Desk Wonderful Wildcrafting ....................................... 22 Editor: Calyxa ART & CULTURE Staff Writers: Moonwriter, Silver Raven Review: Breaking Dawn ..................................... 24 Reviews: Crafting Magick with Pen and Ink .......... 25 ARTS & CULTURE Desk Magick in the Movies ......................................... 26 Editor: Artermis Gryphon Snowhawk OPINION Staff Writers: SilverLocke, Silver Raven Are You Pagan or What? ..................................... 27 FOOD Desk Silthoron’s Soapbox ............................................ 28 Section Editor: Moonwriter Musing at the Midpoint of the Year ........................ 29 Staff Writers: Sercee GSW Children of Gaia -- Alchemy for the Earth ................. 30 OPINIONS Desk GSW Lodge Updates ........................................ 32 Editor: Sapphire Soleil The Lorekeepers’ Guild .................................... 33 Staff Writers: Areeya, Silthoron ART Desk Lead Artist: Areeya Staff Artists: Jymi X/0 Cover by Areeya CONTRIBUTORS: Nydia Whispering Grey Matters is a quarterly newsletter produced by and for the students and faculty of The Grey School of Wizardry (www.greyschool.com). All contents herein are © 2009 Grey School, except where otherwise noted. Copyrights revert to original authors and artists upon publication. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 3 ISSUE 22 With this issue of Whispering Grey Matters, we turn the reigns over to our new Editor-in-Chief, Starwynd Panther! Whispering Grey Matters We also extend our thanks and applause to Laneth Sffarlenn, who served well in that position for the past year. Thanks, Laneth, for your excellent work! (We’ll still be seeing lots of Literal Magic World- Laneth, around the Newsroom and in the Print Shop, helping the Zombie Horde get the latest edition out.) Shrinking Welcome, Starwynd! WGM is in good hands! By Starwynd Panther, Editor-in-Chief This being my first article to the Whispering Grey Matters readers as Editor, I wanted to speak about one of the most basic elements to the magi-zine. What better fascination than the internet itself? Being online, Whispering Grey Matters is able to reach people throughout the world; no easy feat for a small publication. There is incredible power in the internet. It draws the world together such that people who might not have ever encountered each other are able to meet and share ideas. While many rally against the idea of reading online, there are numerous benefits to the internet, not the least of which being the ecological factors. We use no paper, glue, or ink. It’s eas- ily accessed. The magick of writing online has extended beyond the simple email and it’s interesting to note that communication online is universal and ever-growing. Facebook and Twitter have paved the way for sites like Second Life where one can ac- tually meet other people in a virtual world. Recently, I was introduced to a new site that combines the networking abilities of Facebook with the virtual world of Sec- ond Life. It’s called IMVU and it allows one to have a pro- file, complete with avatar, and visit friends throughout the globe. The world truly grows ever smaller. And Whispering Grey Matters will be there to bring you all of its won- derful magick. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 4 ISSUE 22 Obama Open to Different Religions and Spiritual Views By Belenus U.S. President Obama meets regularly with leading ����������������������������������������������������� promise of creating more tolerance and healing among feuding factions throughout the USA and the world. Obama consults with the likes of Deepak Chopra, Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson, and many other New Age gurus, as well as leaders of traditional religions such as the Greek spiritual leader, Varfolomei and Imam Hassan Qazwini, who has close ties with the spiritual leader of Hezbollah. Obama is ����������������������������������������������������� Dalai Lama in October. ������������������������������������������������ separation of church and state, Obama has at once become the object of speculation as to the authenticity of his own religious beliefs while giving hope to those who are members of minority religions that their government is not becoming something of a puppet of the dominate religions of the land, namely, right wing Christian sects. Right now, President Obama has just given a speech in Cairo, Egypt where he warmly received by a crowd as he talked of Middle East peace and the great contributions of the Islamic religion. He even received a standing ovation as he drew a stark line be- tween the peaceful religion of Islam and the extremist factions such as “al Qaeda as a common enemy to both the U.S. and Muslim nations.” (1) Reaction from Israel has been mixed; some taking the speech as a good step towards peace, and others, like those who are settled on the west bank, saying that Obama wants to through them out of their homes. In response to President Obama’s request to learn what is happening to our earth and its inhabitants, many New Age spiritual leaders are creating a petition to send to the U.S. President. The group identi- ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������- dia, building global community, and working for integrity in commerce. (2). Combined, these acts, attitudes, and policies by the new U.S. President are rare, hopeful signs of good things happening and better things to come. Sources: http://www.topix.com/world/turkey/2009/04/u-s-president-meets-with-spiritual-leader-of-greek-community-in-turkey http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/05/barack-obama-meets-secretly-with.html http://blog.taragana.com/n/china-says-obama-should-not-meet-with-the-dalai-lama-in-octoberl-34994/ WTOP News Citations: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124409999530984503.html http://loveasalifesyle.ning.com/forum/topics/obama-open-to-spiritual WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 5 ISSUE 22 ��������������������������������������������������� Starting a religion and being recognized as such in Canada is not the same as what we are used to in the United States. There are more barriers to entry to get this done. In the United States, pretty ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������� The leaders of what is now “The Order of the Jedi Canada, Inc.,” were extremely happy to announce in ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� as a religious body. According to their website, “in Canada the government must give approval before the Provinces will even consider recognizing you. We now move forward in our goals to complete our recognition within each province.” (1) Although fractious among many groups, the Jedi movement is world wide and has been growing ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� began in the 1970’s. The groups differ in their approach, some emphasizing the religious aspects of Jedi philosophy, while others take a more hands-on approach, teaching and training in energy work and mysticism. The order of the Jedi Canada takes the former approach, and while they do not rule out the abilities of some to manipulate mystical forces, they focus on ethical and moral teachings. They are currently working steadily on a body of Jedi scripture based on the writings of George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise. Most of those who call themselves Jedi or associate with it, are quick to point out that all religions are at the core, based on literature, and Jedi is no different in this respect. I’ve said it myself, that Lucas ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� since the beginning of time. He gave them a name; Jedi and “The Force.” Citations: http://www.orderofthejedi.ca/118612/html/page.html Soon to be found at: www.orderofthejedi.org WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 6 ISSUE 22 Planetary Symbolism in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Series by silverlocke