Raymond Buckland

Many of the very first books that we pick up are the ones that stay with us, and our library, forever. For many, the first book was “Buckland’s Complete Book of ” (now celebrating its 25th anniversary), and it is also known as the big blue book.

Volume 1, Issue 16 September 2006

In this issue: Special points of interest:

∗ Raymond Buckland 1– 7 CEPF News

Deity of the Month 13 ∗ Classifieds Section

Ceremony and Ritual Page 14 ∗ Crafts

Candles, Herbs and Runes 12 ∗ Advertising Section Church of eclectic pagan fellowship fellowship pagan of eclectic Church

Many Paths… One Goal CEPF Newsletter

It was with this book that many may have learned the fundamentals of our chosen paths, and it is also with this book that we learned what it was we wanted and needed.

Raymond Buckland wears many hats, including Englishman, author, witch, founder of Seax-Wica, operator of his own Museum of Witchcraft in America, and the person who introduced Gardnerian Witchcraft in America in 1964, and, of course, but never least, he is known as the “Father of American ”. It was Raymond Buckland that first introduced many of us to the Old Religion, written by an actual witch, and it is Raymond Buckland that gave us the variable jumping board of Wiccan mainstream into our homes, which continues today. Of a Romany Gypsy descent, from his father’s side, Mr. Buckland is a foremost authority on the subject of Gypsies, and he has written many books on that subject as well. Even though Mr. Buckland attended the Church of England, it was at age 12 that his Uncle introduced him to Spiritualism and the , and he never looked back. Coming to American in 1962 from England where he wrote many comedy scripts and was a personal scriptwriter for the popular British comedian, Ted Lune, Raymond Buckland was able to write wonderful works that has kept us glued to our seats for many years. Margaret A Murray and Gerald Gardener influenced Mr. Buckland’s pagan based search, and it was then that he was able to see what he felt was missing and was able to then think of Wicca as a religion. He then contacted Mr. Gardner on the Isle of Man and it was not long before a lifetime friendship developed between the two men. Mr. Buckland eventually became the US based spokesman for Mr. Gardner, and whenever Mr. Gardner received a US based query, he forwarded it on to Mr. Buckland. Mr. Buckland met Mr. Gardner for the first and only time in 1963, when Mr. Buckland was to be the by Monique Wilson, Gardner’s High Priestess. Sadly, it was shortly after this first meeting that, while on vacation to winter in Lebanon, Mr. passed away and was buried in Tunis. Interested in the occult for well over fifty years, and writing for the past forty years, with a book published each of those forty years, (both fiction and non-fiction works), and having more than a two million copies in print, as well as published in seventeen foreign languages, he has also received numerous awards for both his works and books, which are featured in several national book clubs. He has also served as Technical Director for movies, working with Orson Wells (Necromancy) and with director William Friedkin (The Exorcist) on a stage production of “Macbeth”. He has lectured at colleges and universities across the country and has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, appearing on numerous television and radio talk shows, appearing extensively on stage in England and has also played small character parts in movies in America, taught courses at colleges and universities, been a featured speaker at conferences and workshops, and he has been listed in numerous reference works.

After more than a quarter century of working in and leading the craft in America, giving him the title of the most sought after and considered to be amongst the top of America’s leading authorities on Witchcraft, all I can say is that this man knows very well what it is he is doing, and I for one, has hopes that he continues to bring the Craft into better light and continues to keep it coming into our homes.

Mr. Buckland, on behalf of The Church of Eclectic Pagan Fellowship, I wish to say thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule and agreeing to do this interview. It means a great deal to many people. I would also like to say congratulations on the 20th anniversary of your book, “Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft”. I personally had a chance to hear your radio interview on Lance and Graal (http://www.lanceandgraal.com/) (Episode 26). It was a wonderful interview and very enlightening on you and your beliefs and hopes. And many of these questions are based upon that broadcast. CEPF: You studied at King’s College School in London, went on to earn a doctorate in anthropology from Brantridge Forest College is Sussex, what was it that interested you in anthropology? RB: It’s not easy to put a finger on it after all these years! Anthropology is, of course, “the study of Man” (these days read “Hu-man”!) and that is an ever-changing, extremely interesting, totally absorbing subject. How have we developed? How do we think? What makes us do the things we do? Especially important, perhaps, is what do we think and in what do we believe? All these are fascinating topics and part of the on-going study of humankind. CEPF: In 1957, you served a short term in the RAF for a total of two years, what was that experience like for you and your new bride? RB: It was – as I expected – a complete waste of time! (So many people drafted at that time shared that feeling.) It took two years out of my life that could have been put to better use, especially at a time when I should have been cementing my marriage and building a career. However, in retrospect it did give me some interesting experiences and brought me into contact with a wide variety of people I might never have met otherwise. CEPF: Immigrating to the United States in 1962, you went to work for BOAC (British Airways), was your interest in the occult still with you? RB: Oh, yes. My interest in the occult has been life-long. It started in England, when I was about twelve, and has never left me. Working for BOAC meant that I was able to visit some of the more mystical places I might otherwise not have been able to get to – The Villa of Mysteries at Pompeii, for example. CEPF: Mr. Buckland, with your extensive background in the occult, is there anything that you happen to have for us in the future? RB: The joy of the occult is that you never know what is going to crop up in the future – despite looking into crystals and reading tarot cards! My focus these days is in Spiritualism (which is actually where I got my start) and I have done two or three books on that subject recently with more to come. I have also developed my own version of the Ouija® Board – the Buckland Spirit Board – which is about to be presented, together with a book on the subject , by Doorway Publications. CEPF: You were brought up in the Church of England (also known as Ecclesia Anglicana, and is a mainstream of Celtic, Roman tradition of St Augustine, and the old Romano-British church), did the background of this church, or its teachings assist you in anyway when, at age 12, your uncle introduced you to Spiritualism and the occult? RB: No. Although nominally CofE, my family seldom attended church. Probably because we were of Romani descent (my father was a full-blood Rom). This turned out to be a bonus in that I didn’t have as much “brain washing” to get rid of as did others. CEPF: You assisted Gerald Gardner with the introduction of the Gardnerian path to many people in the U.S. Did you believe that, during this time, either of these would catch on as quickly as they did? RB: No, we had no idea. We knew there was a great interest but didn’t have any inclination that it would be picked-up and would spread as it has done. But it seems that there were many people who – like myself – had been looking (whether consciously or unconsciously) for an alternative to the established religions. Wicca turned out to be exactly what was being sought. CEPF: In about 1973, you left the Gardnerian tradition and founded Seax-Wica, and later on Pecti-Wita, which is a Scottish tradition inspired by an “Aidan Breac’. Can you tell us a bit more on this? And, who is Aidan Breac? While researching for this interview, I came across a disturbing endnote from the website Controverscial, (see insert below), is there anything to this? And what are your comments? RB: For some time prior to 1973 I had been not entirely happy with Gardnerian, for a variety of reasons. One of these was the many ego trips that I saw taking place; power plays by those who should have been above that sort of thing. (This was one of the negative aspects of no longer following the lengthy waiting periods originally prescribed for introduction to and advancement through the degrees in such a degree system as Gardnerian.) It wasn’t only this, but that was a main part of my need to break away. I therefore founded a new “tradition” (Seax-Wica) that was much more democratic and could not be subject to such ego trips. It was also an entirely open tradition, with no secrecy. Although I originally designed this purely for my own use, I found many who also wanted something like that so eventually I published it. Controverscial.com is, of course, well named! And it’s not the only web site that has put out erroneous information. At the moment I’m working on my autobiography in which I’m correcting a lot of the nonsense that I’ve seen offered on the web. It’s amazing some of the things that have been said about the start of Wicca in the U.S., and the misinformation has been copied from one web site to another, usually without the web master bothering to check or verify. I deal at length with both Seax-Wica, Pecti-Wita, Aidan Breac, and many other issues in the book which I hope will be out in 2007. NOTE: While researching the above piece and after much debate about Pecti - Witta on several British e-mail lists, I have found that the vast majority of Scottish Witches I have spoken to, rubbish and reject all claims made by Raymond Buckland about Pecti - Witta, as a made up figment of his imagination similar to his Seax-Wica. They point out that nobody to-date has been able to confirm the existence of an ‘Aidan Breac’, and that no records about him, not even a birth certificate, has ever been found or materialized? http://www.controverscial.com/Raymond%20Buckland.htm CEPF: Why did you feel that you had to leave the Gardnerian tradition? And what basis (Gardnerian or other) did you base Pecti – Wita and Seax – Wica? RB: I’ve dealt with my reasons for leaving, in the question above. Although I was no longer going to be practicing Gardnerian, I did still (and do still) honor my Oath to that tradition and therefore did not make use of any Gardnerian material in Seax-Wica. Pecti-Wita, of course, was something passed on to me through Aidan Breac and, so far as I can see, also has none of the elements of Gardnerian in it. Seax-Wica I based on a Saxon foundation (probably due to my English Background). CEPF: In the early 1980’s you opened the Seax-Wica Seminary - (closed in or around 1984) – a correspondence school based in Virginia, with well over 1,000 students worldwide. What was the school like, and why did you wish to close it? RB: It was a school through which I could reach, and work on a one-to-one basis with, students no matter where they were located. I felt that there must be those living far from any established , or even contact with others of like mind, who wanted the Craft. This, I thought, was a way of bringing it to them. Since Seax-Wica is an open tradition (no Oath of Secrecy), there was no problem with doing the teaching through the mail. I ended up with students as far afield as Russia, South Africa, Japan, Australia, and so on. But getting to so many took its toll on my time. I didn’t want to “computerize” responses to lessons (as was done with some other correspondence courses at that time) but wanted to keep the personal touch. However, it meant that it left no time for my writing, which is of prime importance to me. I felt that my writing was – in the long run – more important, reaching far more people. So I reluctantly phased out the Seminar. CEPF: You built your covens very slowly at first and by doing so, you received a bit of backlash from many whom felt that you were being overly cautious, and these many of these same persons simply did not wish to wait for their and went off to organize their own covens. What were your reasons for doing this? Why did you feel that you needed to be so cautious? And, how did you deal with the backlash from obviously so many people? RB: I was “cautious” because that was the traditional way of doing things; the way I was taught. To bring-in people to something like the Craft involved really getting to know them and their needs and desires. That takes time. Similarly, once in, it takes time to thoroughly train and take up through the degrees. So many people, hearing of the Craft, wanted in and didn’t want to wait. Eventually the time restraints were dropped and just about anyone was able to join at any time. Although there was a lot to be said for that, it also meant that there was no sorting of the sheep from the wolves, if you like! I think the decline of Gardnerianism in the early to mid-70s – pointed out by the ego-trips I’ve men- tioned – is evidence of that. Those who, at that time, criticized, had no conception of how Wica had been established by Gardner, and what was truly involved in its practice. CEPF: At the beginning of your journey, you kept your personal information secret, however, later on it was published and you became the foremost authority of the craft. Why did you feel the need to be so secretive at first? And, after your information was published, did you feel / wish it had not? RB: I felt the need to be “private” – rather than secretive – because I was not looking to promote myself. I was looking merely to straighten the many misconceptions that people had about Witchcraft. When the “journalist” Lisa Hoffman, of the New York Sunday News, published my name and address, despite having given her word not to, there wasn’t much I could do about it. As it happened, it did actually make things a little easier in some ways in that I was then able to do a lot more publicly (radio and television) for the Craft. But again – and even today – I’m not seeking to promote myself, only the Old Religion. CEPF: You (may have) previously stated in other interviews, that until you found Margaret A Murray’s book “The Witch-Cult in Europe” and Gerald Gardner’s book “”, you never looked upon Wicca as a religion, though you were missing something. How did these two books change your mind about Wicca as a religion? What was it that was missing? RB: It wasn’t so much that they changed my mind as that they showed me what Witchcraft really was and is, and in seeing and studying that I realized that it was what I had – albeit unconsciously – been looking for. I hadn’t consciously been searching for a religion, but so much of the Old Religion fitted exactly with my own feelings and beliefs that I wanted to be a part of it.

One of our founders, Rev David Andrews, has been following an eclectic path for the past 25 yrs., studying High , Goddess worship, and many others. And a few of his first books was the Golden Dawn, High Magic and of course, your big blue. CEPF: There is / was quite a bit of controversy surrounding Gerald Gardner and his book “Witchcraft Today”, in regards that Mr. Gardner did not actually learn from actual witches, and he simply formed his own path (Gardnerian), simply blending the teachings he learned from Aleister Crowley and the Golden Dawn. What is your opinion on this controversy and do you feel that Mr. Gardner was, in fact, stating the truth about dealing with natural witches as a basis for his book? And, would you, or know anyone alive yet today that could assist in verifying this information? And would you be willing to field any further questions after this interview should any questions be asked after this interview. RB: Of course – if you’ve done your homework – you know that (a) Gerald Gardner did learn from practicing Witches and (b) he did not learn from Aleister Crowley. As has been substantiated by , there was indeed a Dorothy Clutterbuck and there was a that met in the New Forest; the one to which Gardner was introduced and initiated. Gardner did not encounter Crowley until late in Crowley’s life (introduced to him by Arnold Crowther and only visiting him twice) and only officially received from Crowley a certificate declaring him (Gardner) as the leader of the O.T.O. for the Parish of Jerusalem, Isle of Man. Gerald took that diploma and stuck it in his museum, never making use of it. Now, when Gerald and Doreen decided to “promote” Wica (at Old Dorothy’s death), Gerald took the opportunity to bring the used by the New Forest coven more into line with what he believed to be the correct version. He felt that there were things that didn’t belong there, that had come in from ceremonial magic for example, and that there were things that were missing; that had been lost over the years. Don’t forget that Gerald had a lifelong study of religio-magic. In putting this all together in the “new and improved” Book of Shadows, Doreen Valiente contributed a lot of material and some (actually small part) was taken from published Crowley works. (But Crowley himself was not into Witchcraft.) The finished Book of Shadows then became the Gardnerian Book of Shadows. There are indeed those still alive in England who can and have verified this. Examples: Pat Crowther and Fred Lamond. Should there be further questions, I’ll be happy to deal with them so far as my time allows. Quite frankly, after nearly fifty years of dealing with it, I would rather leave it to others to take up the torch. As I’ve said, I’m detailing the early days of the Craft in the U.S. in my autobiography. Other than that, I don’t see there is much to be gained from rehashing the past . . . it is the future which is more important. CEPF: Regarding the O.T.O (Ordo Templi Orientis, the Order of Oriental Templar’s, or Order of the Temple of the East.) and the Golden Dawn, do you feel they influenced modern day Paganism, and if so, how much? And do you see their influences, and the foundations of these traditions, in modern day Paganism yet today? RB: There are certainly “branches” of neo-paganism that have been influenced, to one degree or another, by the various magical societies of the past. I’m not enough with the many different practices of today to be able to make a worthwhile assessment, however. CEPF: Some would say that The Golden Dawn actually derived from the O.T.O., then from the Golden Dawn came Wicca. Do you feel this was a natural transition, or do you feel that there were practitioners of Witchcraft in the form Gardner stated in his book “Witchcraft Today”? RB: I know that there were practitioners of Witchcraft encountered by Gardner, leading to his initiation and his later development of Wica. I don’t think that Wica came directly, or even indirectly, from the Golden Dawn. CEPF: You were initiated by Monique Wilson (Gerald Gardner’s High Priestess) and you were able to meet Mr. Gardner in person. What were your thoughts at the time? And, (many of us are wishing to ask) what was Mr. Gardner and Ms. Wilson like? And what are your fondest memories of them? RB: Difficult to summarize! Monique (Lady Olwen) was the epitome of what a Witch High Priestess should be. She was warm and loving and an excellent teacher. Although quiet, in the Circle she had a tremendous “presence.” Gerald was similar in that although normally soft-spoken, when he did ritual he brought out a tremendous power. He was very much a “character” and I think you either loved him or loathed him! I was with him for only a very short time, regrettably. I would have loved to have spent much longer with him. Lady Olwen, and her husband Loic, were close and we remained so for many years. My fondest memory of Gerald was simply the joy of actually meeting him. Of Olwen, it was my initiation. CEPF: You formed and were the proprietor of the First Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in the United States. Growing from a bookcase and growing so large that it consumed your basement, and had to finally be placed in a separate building. Was the Museum, in an essence, a tribute to Mr. Gardner? RB: Yes, it was very much a tribute to him. It included many pieces that he had given me, together with pieces Olwen had given. I also managed to acquire a large number of artifacts that were the same, or very similar to, objects in Gerald’s collection. He certainly inspired me. CEPF: You began writing in 1968, in 1969 you published “A Pocket Guide to the Supernatural”, which I must say, is also a personal favorite of mine, and you continued writing, even using your “not really” anagram Tony Earll. Did you ever think that your books would become literal icons in the occult world as they did? RB: I have always loved to write. I think I always will. I think that most true writers feel that it really doesn’t matter whether or not their work gets published; it’s just the joy of writing. I’ve been extremely blessed in that much of my work has been well received. I was originally inspired by my father, who also wrote. I like to think that he would be proud of what I’ve achieved. CEPF: You and your wife began Taray Publications around 1984, is Taray Publications still active? And, what general material did you publish? RB: Taray – a combination of Tara and Ray – was a spare time venture but after only two or three books we ran out of spare time! The problem with publishing is that it takes away good writing time! Recently, in an attempt to be somewhat semi-retired, I’ve started doing a little more publishing. This time it’s under the heading of “Buckland Books.” CEPF: You have appeared in movies, plays, written many books, was a Technical Director, a personal scriptwriter for Ted Lune, lectured, and the list just goes on. What thoughts were you thinking through all of these many employment titles? RB: Well, that would take a book in itself! I guess the autobiography will delve into that. CEPF: You are a man of numerous talents and abilities, you are the forefather of the Wiccan movement here in the United States, is there anything that you regret? Or wish you did differently? RB: I don’t think there’s anything I regret. It’s all been an incredible learning experience. Perhaps, “had I known then what I know now” (!) I might have concentrated more on screen-writing and on movie direction. I think I could have done well at that (and have done a little) since it can be so creative. But then, if I had, I would probably have lost so much else! CEPF: After so many years in the spotlight, you decided, besides occasional public appearances, to remain a solitary, practicing Seax-Wica and Pecti-Wita, do you miss being in the mainstream as you were in the past? RB: Not in the least. CEPF: You have written an extensive collection of books, is there anything that we can look forward to in the future from you? Are you going to be publishing your biography soon, and if so, when can we expect it in stores? RB: As I’ve mentioned, I hope my autobiography will be out late next year. I have almost finished writing it, though I’m sure there will be a lot of revising to do before it’s in finished form. But it is something I do very much want to get out. CEPF: There have been a large amount of Pagan based movies in the past, for instance, Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and The Craft, and now we have The Covenant and The Wicker Man. When many of these types of movies come out, there seems to a surge of various Pagan based groups. What is your opinion of Hollywood’s portrayal of modern day Paganism and do you feel it helps or hinders the image of Pagans? RB: On the whole I think it helps in that it starts people thinking, which is usually good! But there are – obviously – good and bad presentations and the majority of Hollywood productions are not good. An excellent example is the remake of Wicker Man. What a travesty! Obviously the writer and director had no concept of what the original was presenting. But even when movies and television shows get it wrong, there’s often enough there to prompt those who are seeking to dig a little deeper. The “bad” is frequently obvious and there are today enough (perhaps more than enough?) books available to show what is really the truth. CEPF: Rev. David Andrews would like to have a follow up interview at a later time with you in regards to the older traditions of Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, as to how Mr. Gardner got his start and his studies. For the reasons being that these older traditions seem to be spread out and they seem to beginning to becoming lost in the newer writings, and it would be nice to better understand the actual forefathers of Paganism. In regards to this question, how do you feel that these traditions have spread out in modern day Paganism? RB: I think that modern-day paganism is in far better shape than is modern-day Witchcraft. There are so many pagan paths available, most of them well researched and presented. In Witchcraft, unfortunately everything has become so “watered down” that it has lost its essence. It used to be that Wica was well defined. Today anyone can do virtually anything and claim “This is Witchcraft” and there’s no saying that they’re wrong . . . because there are no true definitions any more. CEPF: Now that you are semi-retired, as only making a few public appearances, has your interest in ultra – light airplanes grown? RB: I’ll always have an interest but at my age I’ve switched my emphasis to cars. CEPF: You have actually built an airplane on your property as well; a “Flying Flea” or also known as a Pou du Ciel. Have you been able to fly this as much as you wish? And do you still publish the international magazine that deals with this particular craft? And if not, why did you wish to cease publishing it? RB: It’s the same old story – lack of time. I published the magazine (and was very involved in the ultra-light movement) for seven years but eventually had to stop because I just didn’t have the time to devote to it. I certainly didn’t “wish” to cease publishing it; I really enjoyed it. But you can only do so much with the time available. CEPF: Your interest also includes older home built cars, especially the three-wheeled type. Do you still own your replica 1932 Morgan 3 – wheeler? RB: No, I sold that – and several of my other vehicles – so that I could get my latest joy: a Corvette. But I always am fascinated by unusual vehicles and am about to start building another car of my own design. It will (hopefully!) look somewhat like a 1930s racing car when I’m finished with it. CEPF: You also love animals with long ears as well. Do own many animals on your farm? And if so, how many and what are they? RB: I love all animals (I think it was Tara’s humor on the web site that specified long ears!). We have two Shetland ponies, one old sheep, and a duck. That’s it. CEPF: With your family being Rom (Gypsy), and you hearing the tales through your childhood, do you now own a vardo (wagon) and do you still get the itch to hit the road? RB: I constantly get the itch to “jal a drom” (travel the road) but restrict it to excursions in the Corvette! I would love to own a vardo, and in fact have one awaiting restoration over in England, but don’t have one here yet. CEPF: The main question that is always asked, thus I must ask the same to you. Where do you see Wicca now compared to what it was? And where do you see it going in the future? RB: It has obviously made tremendous strides and has almost come to be generally accepted as “just another religion.” But we’re not quite there. There’s still a lot of work to be done, constantly straightening misconceptions. The on-going battle that Selena Fox and others have been fighting to get the Veterans Administration to approve the use of the Pentagram on Wicca Veterans’ tombstones is just one example. We certainly can’t, yet, rest on our laurels but I do think we can be proud of ourselves in what we have achieved. Mr. Buckland, it has been my honor to interview you for our humble Newsletter. I appreciate the time that you have taken to answer these questions. And, I must say, I appreciate all that you have done for the Wiccan tradition, from beginning it, to keeping it coming into our homes and lives through your extraordinary works. Again, on behalf of all at CEPF, I thank you and may you be blessed on any road that you take.

Merry Part Blessed Be Namaste

Rev A Sampsell

RB: Thank you for very comprehensive questions, and for the opportunity to “speak”. In love and light, Ray-B.

Points of Interest

There has been a re-vamp of the Newsletter beginning this month. More aspects relating to Paganism has been added through out the entire Newsletter, and we would love to hear what you think.

Special points to visit are:

- The newly added Candles, Herbs, and Runes Section where each month a candle, herb and rune will be highlighted.

- The Deity of the Month section where, again, each month a deity from around the world with be highlighted.

- There is also a two—part section that has been added; Religion of the Month, where a specific religion is described and highlighted; the other half is Culture of the Month, where the culture of the highlighted religion is highlighted.

- Our gemstone area has been updated as well.

- Each month you can also look for the Ceremony and Ritual Page where you can find a wonderful ritual to either perform at home, or tuck away and perform later.

- This Month in History has also been added, which includes events from around the world and lets you know the phase of the moon.

- At this time there is a new address for CEPF; please make a note of page 19

- There is now also more things to do in our Newsletter, crossword, Trivia, Word Find and of course, the Kids Korner.

- A Pagan Parenting Section, A Support Page and a Pagan Business Review are all new sections that were added this month.

- A Pagan Issues World Wide section has also been added where a Pagan issue is researched and added, to keep all up to date on current events as well as possibly help those that may need our help.

And don't forget our Feedback Area, our Business card area, and our Voting section.

We here at CEPF hope that you, our readers, enjoy these new additions, as we hope to add more in the near future.

Namaste

Your CEPF Newsletter Team Church of eclectic pagan fellowship The Church of Eclectic Pagan Fellowship (C.E.P.F.) is

Church of Eclectic Pagan based in Salisbury Maryland. Fellowship (C.E.P.F.) 3103 W Wackerly St Midland, MI 48640 There are many people that are involved in many aspects (989) 878-1145 and offices of C.E.P.F. Tel: 989—878-1145 There are Public Relations Officers representing C.E.P.F. E-mail: [email protected] in the United States, the United Kingdom as well as

Australia. We welcome all persons and paths, as long as they harm none we believe they can do as they wish. Our Missions is to provide a safe haven for practitioners of differing religious paths to worship as they see fit as long as it does not violate the religious rights of others or causes harm. We also wish to promote unity among the Worlds Religions through understanding, cooperation and respect. Many Paths… Our Motto is Many Paths..One Goal One Goal

We’re on the Web! www.cepf-usa.org Gemstones for September

The Sapphire with its beauty and The Sapphire is a variety of SAPPHIRE splendor, comes to us mined from the mineral species Australia, Sri Lanka Thailand, Burma, corundum. Sapphires occur in Kampuchea, Kenya and Tanzania. all colors of the rainbow with the exception of red, which is

The Sapphire was listed as the ruby. The name corundum September birthstone in 1912 by the comes from the ancient Modern Birthstone American National Association of Sanskrit "kuruvindam", while Traditional Birthstone Jewelers , however this gem has a the name "Sapphire" comes history all its own. Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Virgo from the Persian word "safir", meaning "beloved of Saturn", Planetary Stone—Libra While many gem scholars agree that (or Greek sapphiros). It is the tradition of birthstones arose from noted in several texts that the Breastplate of Aaron described in sapphire was the lapis lazuli the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The of the ancient world, probably breastplate was a ceremonial religious because the stones both have Image provided by: garment set with twelve gemstones that the same intense blue represented the twelve tribes of Israel coloring. Birthstone Education and corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.

To improve their color, and reduce cloudiness that is caused by rutile inclusions, which are responsible for the “star” or the “cat’s eye” in star sapphires; rarely, when sapphires are cut en cabochon, they can demonstrate this cat's eye effect. This effect displays a thin band of light down the center of the stone and is known as chatoyancy. Star sapphires usually have six ray stars, but twelve ray stars are also known. Sapphires are commonly heated. Being the non-red variety of corundum, the sapphire is listed as the second hardest natural material.

Heating colorless and very pale blue sapphires to high temperatures is done to give them an intense blue color This treatment can also improve the clarity of the stones by removing tiny inclusions. Being a stone that covers the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius, the Sapphire also relates to the amethyst, the carnelian, and the topaz. Sapphires are also given as the gem to celebrate the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversaries. The star sapphire is given upon the celebration of the 65th wedding anniversary. The star sapphire, with their inclusions of tiny, rutile needles, exhibit ’asterism’, which is an optical property. This is the star shaped effect seen in star sapphires and is usually only seen in cabochon cuts. Blue is by far the most popular color for sapphires, but they can be almost any color, including yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. “Padparadscha” is the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire and has a higher value than blue sapphires. A rare variety of sapphire, known as color changing sapphire, exhibits different colors in different light. A color change sapphire is blue in natural light, and violet in artificial light. A similar effect is also seen in alexandrite. Sapphire was first created synthetically in 1902 and is hard to distinguish from natural sapphires except by gemologists. Lab grown sapphires range in price and smaller stones are frequently used in less expensive jewelry. Sapphires, their beauty and exquisite colors that seems to shine everywhere, is a wonderful addition to any persons jewelry collection.

The CEPF Blog!!

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CEPF now has a Blog !! Any person can read this blog and post comments by going to: At this time, we ask all persons to please light a candle, send healing energies and thoughts http://www.cepf-usa.org/cepfblog.htm to our own Rev David and Rev Heidi Andrews and their family in this, their greatest time of need. If you wish to light a desktop candle, please go to our site: www.cepf-usa.org and scroll to the bottom of the column on the right and click on LIGHT A CANDLE—this will take you to You can find all contact another free on –line site where you can light a information on the "Contact Us" page candle. You are free to light as many and as often of the website. as you wish. Not just for our Rev. Andrews family, but at any time you wish to light a candle for persons or family.

http://www.cepf-usa.org/ We thank you. contactus.htm Namaste

The Board of Directors and Staff of The Church of Eclectic Pagan Fellowship Candle of the Month

GOLD Gold—represents prosperity, wealth, money, attraction, to heal inner wounds, to confer money smarts and it fosters understanding. Representing solar energy, it is a color that many use during Mabon. Many say that it also represents enlightenment, protection and the Divine Mother.

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Herb of the Month

Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum biflorum Lily Family (Liliaceae) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Used as an astringent, demulcent and tonic, it can be combined with other remedies as well. Solomon's Seal is given in pulmonary consumption and bleeding of the lungs. It is useful also in female complaints. The infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses and is also used as an injection. It is a mucilaginous tonic, very healing and restorative, and is good in inflammations of the stomach and bowels, piles, and chronic dysentery.

Rune of the Month

Raidho

(R: Wagon or chariot.)

Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death. Sabbat of the Month MABON

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Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn . The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.

Also known as: The Second Harvest Festival Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon Equinozio di Autunno (Strega) Alben Elfed (Caledonii) Cornucopia Winter Finding (the Teutonic name) and it means a span of a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.

At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at . It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Symbolism: Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.

Symbols: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.

Herbs: Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, Solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.

Foods: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.

Incense: Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.

Colors: Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.

Stones: Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.

Activities: Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.

Spell workings: Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.

Deities: Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses. Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.

Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life.

Deity of the Month

Mabon ap Modron “Maponos” A Cymric and Gaulish God, also known as Maponos, Maponus, Mabon fab Modron, Mabomus: Divine Son Synonyms: Maponos, Maponus, Mabon fab Modron, Mabomus Cym, Gaul, Bryth: Divine Son In Welsh mythology, Mabon ("divine son") was the son of Modron ("divine mother"). He is without question synonymous with the Ancient British god, Maponos (q.v.). He was a hunter god who was stolen from his mother three days after his birth. He then lived in Annwn until he was rescued by Culhwch. Because of his time in Annwn, Mabon stayed a young adult forever. He later assisted Culhwch in his search forOlwen. Culhwch had been arranged to marry his own stepsister, but he refused. Angry, his stepmother cursed him to marry no one but Olwen. Olwen's father, Ysbaddaden, was a vicious giant who would die if he was separated from his daughter. After many trials and tribulations, Culwch succeeded and gained Ysbaddaden's powers and life. The name Mabon has special connections toHadrian’s Wall where a cult of Apollo Maponos was practiced by the Roman soldiers based there. Mabon is a deity known from both Gaul and Britain. In Gaul he is invoked as Maponos at Bourbonne-les-Bains (a Latin inscription) and possibly at Rouen (though the inscription is worn and incomplete. He was also invoked on a lead plate discovered at Chamalières, Puy-de-Dôme a Gaulish inscription which also invokes the deity Lugus. Though our understanding of Gaulish is at a rather primitive stage, a tentative interpretation of this inscription can be given as: I beseech the very divine, the divine Maponos Avernatis by means of the magic tablet: quicken us, those by the magic of the underworld spirits. C. Lucios, Floros Nigrinos the invoker, Aemilios Paterinos, Claudios Legitumos, Caelios Pelignos, Claudios Pelignos, Marcios Victorinos, Asiaticos son of Aedillos. And it is the destiny of the Victor to which they shall be destined; the center — when he sows it — shall be whole; I right the wrong blindly thus by means of this tablet I shall see what shall be. By Lugus I prepare them; by Lugus I prepare them; by Lugus I prepare them, by the light. However, the majority of inscriptions come from Northern Britain where the deity is invoked under the Latinized form of his name, Maponus the first of these being a silver lunula (crescent-shaped ornament) inscribed DEO MAPONO (to the god Maponus) the next insciption was found on a red sandstone at Brampton and reads: Deo / Mapono / et n(umini) Aug(usti) / Durio / et Ramio / et Trupo / et Lurio / Germa/ni v(otum) s(olverunt) l(ibentes) m(erito) (To the God Maponus and the Spirit of the Emperor, the Germans Durius, Ramius, Trupus and Lurius willingly and deservedly fulfil their vow). The next inscription comes from Ribchester, Lancashire (the Roman fort and settlement of BREMETENACVM VETERANORVM and reads: DEO SAN APOLLINI MAPONO PRO SALVTE D N ET N EQ SARM BREMETENN GORDIANI AEL AN- TONINVS > LEG VI VIC DOMO MELITENIS PRAEP N ET PR VSLM DEDIC PR KAL SEP IMP D N GOR- DIANO AVG II ET PONPEIANO COS (To the sacred god Apollo Maponus, and for the health of our Lord and the Company of Gordians Sarmatian Horse at Bremetenacum, Aelius Antoninus, centurion of the Sixth Victorious Legion, from Melitanis, in charge of the Company and the Region, willingly and deservedly fullfilled his vow. Dedicated on the first day of September when our Lord Imperator Gordianus Augustus — for the second time — and Pompeianus were consuls). Finally we have two inscriptions from the Roman fort of Corstopitvm, Corbridge, Northumberland. The first of these reads: APOLLINI MAPONO Q TEREN- TIVS Q F OVF FIRMVS SAEN PRAEF CASTR LEG VI V P F D D (To Apollo Maponus, Quintus Terentius Firmus, son of Quintus, of the Aufentine voting tribe from Saena, Praefectus Castrorum² of Legio Sextae Victrix Pia Fidelis, donated out of devotion) and the second DEO MAPONO APOLLINI P AE... LVS > LEG VI VIC VSLM (To the god Maponus Apollo, Publius Ae[lius Lucul]lus, centurion of the Sixth Victorious Legion willingly and deservedly fulfills his vow). It is interesting to note that all the final three inscriptions indicate the assimilation of Maponus with the Roman deity, Apollo by the process of interpretatio Romana. A site known as [Locus] Maponi ([the place] of Maponus) is known from theRavena Cosmography though the location of this Roman settlement remains uncertain it is possible that the Roman Auxiliary Fort at Ladyward, Lockerbie in Dumfries & Galloway represents the location of this fort. Indeed, the fort is located near the modern town of Lochmaben (Lake of Maponos) and the name of the deity is also preserved in Clochmabenstane (the Stone of Lochmaben) to the South on the Solway Estuary. The site known as Maporition (The Ford of Maponos) is considered to be Ladyward near Lockerbie. The name Maponos is derived from the reconstructed proto-Celtic root *makwo- (son) with the divine particle os- and gives us 'Divine Son'. This explais his equation with the ever-youthful Roman deity, Apollo. The image shown above is derived from a very imposing sculpture found at Corstopitum (Corbridge, Northumberland). Though previously identified with Maponus this identification has recently come into question because of the sculpture's beard that seems to contravene the god's youthfulness. However, the trimmed nature of the image's beard may still represent youthfulness and the image might still represent the deity described here. In the later mediaeval sources Mabon is known only from the Cymric tales and poems. Part of his mythology is preserved in the Mabinogion of Culhwch ac Olwen where, to gain Olwen’s hand Culhwch must perform a number of anoetheu (literally 'foolish [impossible] tasks') for Olwen's father, Ysbaddadeb Pencawr. In order for the climactic hunt for the magical boar, the Twrch Trwyth to be successful Culhwch must locate Mabon fab Modron. Mabon had been taken from his mother, Modron when he was but three nights old and it was unknown as to whether he lived or died. Gwhyr Gwalstawd lwithoedd, Cei and Bedwyr are sent by Arthur on the quest for his (Arthur's) cousin Mabon fab Modron. Gwrhyr is included on this quest because 'he knows all languages and is familiar with those of the birds and the beasts'. First they come to the oldest known creature, the Ousel of Cilgwri and Gwrhyr enquires as to what the bird knows of Mabon's whereabouts. The Ousel protests that it knows nothing of Mabon but points them in the direction of an even more ancient creature than itself, the Stag of Rhedynfre. Again Gwrhyr asks of his quest and the stag directs them to the Owl of Cwm Gwlwyd who directs them to the Eagle of Gwernabwy. Again, this bird has not heard of Mabon but it knows of one being older even than itself an directs them towards Llyn Llyw where the great Salmon lives. Finally, then encounter a creature who knows of Mabon and takes Cei and Gwrhyr upon his back to the prison where Mabon is held. Thus is Mabon found and freed by Cei and Bedwyr. Later, mounted on his steed Gwynn Mygdwn (Fair Dun-mane) Mabon pursues the Twrch Trwyth into the river Severn and snatches the razor from between the great boar's ears.

The events in Culwhch ac Olwen are alluded to in Triad 52 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein where Mabon ap Modron is named as one of the 'Three Exalted Prisoners of the Island of Britain' and thus it seems that the mediaeval tradition of Mabon was as the most noted of all prisoners. In the latter parts of the tale the llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch version of the tale twice names Mabon with a patronymic as Mabon fab Mellt which suggests that Mellt (Lightning) may be Mabon's father (see below). Mabon falls into the list of ancestral deities known by their matronymic rather than their patronymics. Thus Mabon is known as Mabon fab Modron (Mabon being the cognate of the Gaulish Maponos) and Modron being the equivalent of the Gaulish Matrona and the matronymic can be rendered literally as 'Son, son of Mother'. The name Mabon does occur elsewhere in Cymric poetry. The first instance occurs in the Llyr Du Caerfyrddin. He is referred to twice in the poem Pa Gur yw y Porthawr (What Man is the Porter). The first time he is mentioned he is called Mabon am Myrdon (a corruption of Mabon ap Modron) and the second time he is called Mabon am Melld (Mabon ap Mellt ie 'Mabon son of Mellt'). This, along with the mention of Mellt in the LLyfr Gwyn Rhydderch would suggest a belief in the middle ages that Mellt was Mabon's father. This also suggests the existence of a Brythonic deity known Meldos who, in his Gaulish form may actually be the god Meldius. The link between Mabon and the lands in south-western Scotland is indicated by the poem Kychwedyl am dodyw o galchuynyd which describes the battles of Owein fab Urien from Rheged. This names several places in southern Scotland and describes them as Gvlat Mabon (the Realm of Mabon). Like many mythological of folkloric figures Mabon was brought into the orbit of Arthur during the middle ages which explains why, in both the Llyfr Du poem, Pa Gur and in the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen Mabon is enumerated amongst Arthur's men. Outside of Cymric literature some of the few other references to Mabon come from France. In the Old French Merlin/quasi-Arthurian Roman du Silence there is one reference to a popular Breton poem, Lai du Mabon, which is unfortunately now lost to us. A document of 1090, from the abbey of Savigny, Rhône, mentions a de Mabono fonte indicating the existence of a spring sacred to the god though its site, once more, is lost to us. Though he has no direct cognete in Irish mythology, in terms of name at least, his closest counterpart is probably the figure of Mac(c) ind Ó'c (literally 'Young Lad') which is an epiithet of Oenghus, the eternally youthful spirit who frequently features as both a trickster god and a god of love.

CEREMONY AND RITUAL PAGE Mabon Ritual Autumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest, September 21st

Tools: In addition to your m'jyk-l tools you will need:

• A Red Alter Cloth

• A Wicker Basket

• A Red Apple

• Assorted Fruits and Vegetables of the Second Harvest (Berries, Squash, Corn, etc)

• A Bell

• A Fallen Tree Branch

• A

• A Sprig or Two of Ivy

• An Autumn Blend Incense

• Any other Personal items of choice

Preparation: Sweep area, moving in a deosil (clockwise) manner. Outline your Circle with a red cord, low vibration stones, or various Harvest items such as wheat, corn, beans, etc. Set up your alter and place the red alter cloth over it. At center top, place the wicker basket, filled with the assorted fruit and vegetables. Place the apple and the boline on your or a plate. Place the tree branch to the right of the basket. Place the rest of your tools and props according to your personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly and meditate to ground and center. When you are ready, begin by playing some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual. CEREMONY AND RITUAL PAGE

CONTINUED….

Cast the Circle and call Quarters.....Pick up your in your right hand, face your alter, and with arms stretched out above your head, say:

"I honor Thee, Autumn Queen, and Thy consort, the God of the Harvest. The Wheel has once more turned, and the change of season begins. What will be is. What was will be. The Equinox is upon us, and the time to reflect, at hand. All time comes together, here and now in this sacred space. And I, but a moment in time, feel the change as I pass From one season to the next. The Second Harvest has been reaped, and the time of rest is deserved. Go now My Mother and slumber. Go now My Father and dream of re-birth. I shall be here to greet Thee on Your return."

With arms still out-stretched lower your head and close your eyes. Contemplate what you have just spoken. When ready, open your eyes and lower your arms. Pick up the apple and place it in the center of the Pentacle/plate. Cut it crosswise with the Boline, to reveal the natural pentagram at it's core. Then lift half the apple, pentagram up, as if in offering, while saying:

"As the Wheel turns, the seasons pass, and the years give 'way To the next, Guide me most Wise Ones, Lest I forget Every beginning has an ending And every ending is a new beginning."

While I rest, shall She lull me, with songs of a dream, As close to Her bosom I cling."

CEREMONY AND RITUAL PAGE

CONTINUED….

Take a bite of the apple. Put the rest aside to share later with the wildlife. Pick up the tree branch and shake once at each direction, starting with North, saying:

"As the days grow colder, and the nights last longer, May I remember the summer past.

With sunlight fading, and hearth inviting, My memories will warm my soul.

From a season of hard work and hard play, I hear Mother's voice calling me forward.

While I rest, shall She lull me, with songs of a dream, As close to Her bosom I cling."

Face the alter and hold the branch out in front of you with both hands, saying:

"With memories of the summer, least I never forget, And aspiring for the colder months to come, Least I never stop striving, I honor Thee with this symbol of Nature, Keeping it and Thee in my home and heart, That I may see it and pause, To reflect on the Ancient Mysteries, Leading me to a better understanding of myself, And of others, and all that is Life."

Put the tree branch on the alter, into the basket of fruit so that it sticks out, back in your direction. Contemplate on the various memory symbols that you have attached to it. Also contemplate on the various projects for autumn and winter that you have attached to it. CEREMONY AND RITUAL PAGE

CONTINUED….

Close your eyes and feel the seasons pass within the circle from summer to autumn. When ready, say:

"Between the worlds I stand in this sacred place. All time is here and now. As I leave this circle, the season shall have changed, And I will have changed with it. May I use the short time of Winter Finding To draw the strength and power from within As I quest for vision, understanding, and peace."

Pick up the sprig(s) of ivy, and wrap around your arms, from the elbow to the wrist. Pick up the Bell with your right hand, and ring thrice, to toll the passing of the first 3 seasons of the year. Now place it in your left hand and ring once to usher in the 4th and last season of the year. Place the bell on the alter and the ivy in your cauldron (for burning later).

"In Life is Death, and in Death is Life. The Sacred Dance goes on and on From whence we came, we shall return, And come again. Seasons pass, and pass again, The circle stays unbroken Heed the words of your child, here, Through Your wisdom I have spoken."

It is now time for meditation and spell working. Associated spell workings would include those for protection, wealth, security, and self-confidence. If there is no spell working, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the Circle. Clean up. You are done. Find an appropriate place in your home to display the decorated tree branch.

*Find a fallen tree branch. It need not be a large one, for it will adorn your alter, then go on display in your home. The more smaller offshoots from the main branch, the better. Mine has four, which I think is awesome! Next, take a couple of pine cones, small shells, dried flowers, or any other item that reminds you of the late spring-summer months. With some string, tie each to the offshoots. Also take yarn or ribbon of yellows, oranges, reds, and gold and tie one end to the offshoots. Then, on very thin strips of (colored) paper, write down some projects to work on during the upcoming ' dark ' months. Wrap these around the offshoots (like little cocoons) and tie closed with silver thread. These you will open over the next couple of months when you start feeling lethargic or without a sense of direction. You can tie on a couple of small bells, to add some ambiance to this ritual... This Month in History

September 2006

September 1 On this date in the sixth century B.C., the Persian prophet and mystic known as Zoroaster was born. He founded the religion of Zoroastrianism, which teaches that all of mankind is trapped in a perpetual battle between good spirits and bad spirits. ------September 2 On this date in ancient Athens, an annual Grape Vine Festival was held in honor of the Greek deities Ariadne and Dionysus. In Crete, Ariadne was worshipped as a goddess of the Moon, and Dionysus as the son of Semele (who was also a goddess of the Moon). ------September 3 On this day, the annual Path Clearing Festival (Akwambo) is held by the Akan people of Ghana to honor and receive blessings from the ancient god of the sacred well. The Maidens of the Four Directions are honored on this day each year by a Hopi Indian women's healing ceremony called Lakon. ------September 4 At sunrise on this day, the Changing Woman Ceremony is held annually by the Native American tribe of the Apache in Arizona. The rite, which lasts for four consecutive days, marks the coming of age of a pubescent girl, who ritually transforms into the spirit-goddess known as Changing Woman and blesses all who are in attendance. ------September 5 In ancient Rome, the Roman Games, in honor of the god Jupiter, began annually on this date and lasted until the thirteenth day of September. Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of good luck and prosperity, is honored on this day throughout India with a parade and a festival of rejoicing. ------September 6 An ancient Inca blood festival called the Situa was held annually on this date to ward off the evil spirits of illness and disease. As part of the ceremony, parents would eat a special cake consecrated with the blood of their offspring. ------On this date in the year 1875, the Theosophical Society (an organization dedicated to spreading occult lore and ancient wisdom) was founded by Madame Helena Petrova Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, William Judge, and other occultists. September 2006

September 8 On this date in the year 1875, the Theosophical Society (an organization dedicated to spreading occult lore and ancient wisdom) was founded by Madame Helena Petrova Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, William Judge, and other occultists.

------September 9 In China, chrysanthemum wine is traditionally drunk on this day each year to ensure long life and to honor Tao Yuan-Ming, a Chinese poet who was deified as the god of the chrysanthemum.

------September 10 The Ceremony of the Deermen is held every year at dawn on the first Monday after Wakes Sunday (which normally falls on or near this date). As part of the ceremony, held at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire, England, the Deerman, wearing antlers and carrying clubs surmounted with deers' heads, escort two young men dressed as Robin Hood and Maid Marian across the village. On this date in the year 1930, Carl Llewellyn Weschcke (former Wiccan high priest and owner of Llewellyn Publications) was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In 1972 he was initiated by Lady Sheba into the American Celtic tradition of Witchcraft, and in 1973 he helped to organize the Council of American Witches.

------September 11 In Egypt, a centuries old festival called the Day of Queens is celebrated annually on this date in honor of Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra, who were also regarded as goddesses.

------September 12 On this date in the year 1902, actress Margaret Hamilton was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is best known for her memorable role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. She died on May 16, 1985, in Salisbury, Connecticut.

------September 13 Wiccan All Souls' Day. Every year on this date, the ancient Wiccans celebrated a religious festival known as The Ceremony of Lighting the Fire. Sacred fires were lit in temples in honor of the spirits of the dead and the goddess Nephthys, Protectress of the dead and Queen of the Underworld. September 2006

September 14 In ancient Rome, the Feast of the Holy Cross was celebrated on this date in commemoration of a supernatural vision of a cross in the sky, as well as a battle victory of Roman Emperor Constantine I. On this date in the year 1692, the Witch trial of two Pilgrim women opened in Stamford, Connecticut. One was found not guilty; the other was convicted and sentenced to die, but was later reprieved by an investigating committee. On this date in the year 1486, ceremonial magician Agrippa von Nettesheim was born in Cologne, France. He was skilled in the arts of , numerology, and astrology, and wrote several books that had a great influence over Western occultism. He died in Grenoble, France in the year 1535.

------September 15 The full moon of September, known as the Harvest Moon, normally begins on or around this date. Many believe it to possess great magickal powers, and numerous superstitions are connected with it. Harvest Moon rituals are performed throughout the world on the first night of the full moon by many Witches and Pagans, especially those who dwell in the country.

------September 16 Feast of Saint Cornely. On this day, villagers and farmers who live in Brittany honor Saint Cornely, the patron of horned animals who is believed to have created the Carnac megaliths by magickally transforming enemy soldiers into stone. At midnight, oxen are blessed in a shrine dedicated to him.

------September 17 On this date in the year 1964, Bewitched (the first television sitcom about a Witch) made its debut on ABC-TV. It became an instant hit and received twenty-two Emmy nominations. In ancient Greece, the goddess Demeter was honored annually on this date with a festival of secret rites.

------September 18 In the town of Berkshire, England, a centuries-old celebration known as Scouring the White Horse begins on this date. The festival of games and athletic competition takes place on a hillside carved with the huge figure of a galloping steed, and lasts for two consecutive days.

------September 2006

September 19 On this day in ancient Babylonia, an annual festival of prayers and feasts took place in honor of Gula, the goddess of birth. On this date in the year 1692, Giles Corey (a Massachusetts man charged with the crime of Witchcraft) was pressed to death by two large stones in Salem for refusing to acknowledge the Court's right to try him.

------September 20 The Spring Equinox (South of the Equator) was celebrated approximately on this date by the ancient Incas. It was a time for honoring the Sun God, feasting, rejoicing, animal sacrifices, and . Festivals were also held on this date throughout South America to celebrate the birthday of the god Quetzalcoatl.

------September 21 Saint Matthew's Day. In many parts of the world, this is a traditional day for performing divinations of all kinds. In Germany, fortune-telling wreaths of straw and evergreen, made on this day by young girls, were used for love divination. In ancient Greece, the birth of the goddess Athena was celebrated annually on this day.

------September 22 On the first day of Autumn (which normally occurs on or near this date), the Autumn Equinox sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Autumn Equinox (which is also known as the Fall sabbath, Alban Elfed, and the Second Festival of Harvest) is a time for thanksgiving, meditation, and introspection. On this sacred day, Witches rededicated themselves to the Craft, and Wiccan initiation ceremonies are performed by the High Priestess and Priests of covens. Many Wiccan traditions also perform a special rite for the goddess Persephone's descent into the Underworld as part of their Autumn Equinox celebration.

------September 23 On this date (approximately), the Sun enters the astrological sign of Libra. Persons born under the sign of the Scales (the Balance) are said to be artistic, resourceful, extroverted, balanced, and often indecisive. Libra is an air sign and is ruled by the planet Venus. September 2006

September 24 In ancient Egypt, the annual death and rebirth of the god Osiris was celebrated once a year on this date. A festival held in his honor consisted of song, dance, and ceremonial plantings. In West Africa, this day is sacred to Obatala, a hermaphrodite deity who was believed to have given birth to all Yoruban gods and goddesses.

------September 25 On this date in ancient Greece, a feast of beans known as the Pyanopsia was celebrated annually in honor of the great Olympian god Apollo and the three beautiful goddesses of the four seasons known as the Horae. The birthday of Sedna, the Eskimo goddess of both the sea and the Underworld, is celebrated annually on this date in Greenland, northeastern Siberia, and the Arctic coastal regions of North America.

------September 26 Theseus, the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur and conquered the Amazons, was honored on this date in ancient Greece with an annual festival called the Theseia. The celebration lasted until the twenty-ninth day of September. In ancient times, a goat sacrifice was performed annually on this day to appease Azazel, a Hebrew fallen angel who seduced mankind. He was associated with the planet Mars.

------September 27 Moon Festival. On this date, an annual ceremony takes place in China to honor the Moon Hare and to give thanks to the gods for a harvest of abundance. The rites associated with the Moon Festival are always performed by women as the Moon represents yin, the female cosmic element.

------September 28 On this date in ancient Athens, an annual Thesmophoria festival was celebrated in honor of the Greek goddess Demeter. The festival lasted until the third day of October. September 2006

------September 29 Michaelmas. According to English folklore, it was on this day that the Devil fell from Heaven, landed on a blackberry bush, and cursed the berries. Therefore, it is unlucky to pick blackberries after Michaelmas. In parts of Scotland, special Michaelmas cakes are eaten by the superstitious on this day to ward off all evil and misfortune in the coming year.

------September 30 On this date, the annual Meditrinalia festival was celebrated in the city of Rome in honor of the goddess Meditrina, a deity who presided over medicines and the arts of healing. In ancient Greece, the Epitaphia was held once a year on this date to honor the souls of the warriors slain to battle.

CULTURE OF THE MONTH

Celts of Gaul Little is actually known about the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul. However they did believe in a life after death, for they buried food, weapons, and ornaments with the dead. The druids, the early Celtic priesthood, taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. The Irish believed in an otherworld, imagined sometimes as underground and sometimes as islands in the sea. The otherworld was variously called "the Land of the Living," "Delightful Plain," and "Land of the Young" and was believed to be a country where there was no sickness, old age, or death, where happiness lasted forever, and a hundred years was as one day. It was similar to the Elysium of the Greeks and may have belonged to ancient Indo-European tradition. In Celtic eschatology, as noted in Irish vision or voyage tales, a beautiful girl approaches the hero and sings to him of this happy land. He follows her, and they sail away in a boat of glass and are seen no more; or else he returns after a short time to find that all his companions are dead, for he has really been away for hundreds of years. Sometimes the hero sets out on a quest, and a magic mist descends upon him. He finds himself before a palace and enters to find a warrior and a beautiful girl who make him welcome. The warrior may be Manannán, or Lugh himself may be the one who receives him, and after strange adventures the hero returns successfully. These Irish tales, some of which date from the 8th century, are infused with the magic quality that is found 400 years later in the Arthurian romances. Something of this quality is preserved, too, in the Welsh story of Branwen, daughter of Llr, which ends with the survivors of the great battle feasting in the presence of the severed head of Bran the Blessed, having forgotten all their suffering and sorrow. But this "delightful plain" was not accessible to all. Donn, god of the dead and ancestor of all the Irish, reigned over Tech Duinn, which was imagined as on or under Bull Island off the Beare Peninsula, and to him all men returned except the happy few. According to Poseidonius and later classical authors Gaulish religion and culture were the concern of three professional classes--the druids, the bards, and between them an order closely associated with the druids that seems to have been best known by the Gaulish term vates, cognate with the Latin vates ("seers"). This threefold hierarchy had its reflex among the two main branches of Celts in Ireland and Wales but is best represented in early Irish tradition with its druids, filidh (singular fili), and bards; the filidh evidently correspond to the Gaulish vates. The name druid means "knowing the oak tree" and may derive from druidic ritual, which seems in the early period to have been performed in the forest. Caesar stated that the druids avoided manual labor and paid no taxes, so that many were attracted by these privileges to join the order. They learned great numbers of verses by heart, and some studied for as long as 20 years; they thought it wrong to commit their learning to writing but used the Greek alphabet for other purposes. As far as is known, the Celts had no temples before the Gallo-Roman period; their ceremonies took place in forest sanctuaries. In the Gallo-Roman period temples were erected, and many of them have been discovered by archaeologists in Britain as well as in Gaul.

Human sacrifice was practiced in Gaul: Cicero, Caesar, Suetonius, and Lucan all refer to it, and Pliny the Elder says that it occurred in Britain, too. It was forbidden under Tiberius and Claudius. There is some evidence that human sacrifice was known in Ireland and was forbidden by St. Patrick. Insular sources provide important information about Celtic religious festivals. In Ireland the year was divided into two periods of six months by the feasts of Beltine (May 1) and Samhain (Samain; November 1), and each of these periods was equally divided by the feasts of (February 1), and (August 1). Samhain seems originally to have meant "summer," but by the early Irish period it had come to mark summer's end. Beltine is also called Cetsamain ("First Samhain"). Imbolc has been compared by the French scholar Joseph Vendryes to the Roman lustrations and apparently was a feast of purification for the farmers. It was sometimes called oímelc ("sheep milk") with reference to the lambing season. Beltine ("Fire of Bel") was the summer festival, and there is a tradition that on that day the druids drove cattle between two fires as a protection against disease. Lughnasadh was the feast of the god Lugh. By the 5th century BC vigorous tribes are spreading outwards from their original homeland east of the Rhine, in places such as Hallstatt and La Tene. With the advantage of iron weapons, they are able to press east into the Balkans and west into France and Spain.. Considerably later, they cross the Channel to Britain. They are the Celts.

The Celts are great story-tellers, great drinkers and great fighters - with a liking for single combat, after which the victor proudly displays the severed head of his opponent. Soon they begin to trouble their very different neighbors, the sober and disciplined Romans. The Celts pushed south through the Alps, raiding and marauding. In about 390 they even reach and sack Rome. Many of them stay in Italy, settling in an area from the Alps to south of Milan. The Romans call them Gauls, and distinguish their two nearest territories as Cisalpine Gaul ('this side of the Alps', as seen from Rome) and Transalpine Gaul ('across the Alps').

Much of Cisalpine Gaul comes under Roman control after a campaign in 225, but the Celts here remain unreliable; a few years later many of them side with Hannibal. Beyond the Alps, southern Gaul becomes a Roman province in 121. The rest of Gaul escapes the grasp of Rome until the arrival of Caesar. The Celtic languages are a living survival of these people who for nearly 1000 years, to about AD 500, are the Europeans of the Atlantic seaboard. Another prominent trace of their culture is the characteristically vigorous Celtic art,, spanning a similar period and finding a late flowering in medieval Christian art.

Shrouded in greater mystery, but with lasting appeal in the public imagination, are the priests of the Celtic religion. These are the druids, whose modern followers spuriously associate themselves with Stonehenge - a monument abandoned by its unknown creators centuries before the arrival of the first Celt or druid in Britain.

Almost nothing is known about the ritual practices of the Celts or of their priests, the druids, except that trees and groves are sacred places. Oak and mistletoe have a special magic.

It has long been held that the druids practice human sacrifice, probably in times of crisis rather than as a regular cult (unlike the Aztecs). Some extraordinary survivals provide possible evidence for the theory. The tannic acid of northern peat bogs has preserved the bodies of men who may have been sacrificial victims of the druids. The leathery remains found at Tollund in Denmark and at Lindow Moss in England have nooses round their necks. Both men lived and died in Celtic communities some 2000 years ago. Irish monks of the 7th and 8th century create illuminated manuscripts which are among the greatest treasures of Celtic and early Christian art. The beautiful calligraphy (the scribes sometimes add complaints in the margin about their difficult working conditions) usually provides the text of the four Gospels. The earliest is the Book of Durrow, from about 650. Others include the Lindisfarne Gospels (c.700) and the Book of Kells (c.800).

The glory of these manuscripts (in addition to their wonderfully inventive images of the evangelists) is the intricate decoration, with the famous 'carpet pages' formed of interlacing patterns - reminiscent of the complex linear designs in Celtic metalwork.

Waxing Moon (When the moon is on the increase, going from a small crescent [new moon] to a full moon) is the ideal time for magick involving love or growth.

Waning Moon (When the moon is on the decrease, going from a full moon back to a crescent) is the best time to break spells or stop bad situations.

Full Moon is when psychic energy is at its peak, it's the best time for prophecy and divination.

New Moon is a good time for Love and Romance, especially during daylight hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Born during a… Then......

NEW MOON This person has a highly subjective personality. They strive to accomplish and fulfill their own personal plans and ideals. They tend to react impulsively and emotionally.

WAXING CRESCENT These people are assertive. They are working against past karma to build a new future

FIRST QUARTER They have a very strong will. They are in the midst of building their dreams, and seek the help of others in doing so.

WAXING GIBBOUS They are striving to improve themselves and find some meaning to their place in society

FULL MOON They are highly objective, clear minded and aware of their own needs and the needs of others

WANING GIBBOUS (Disseminating) These people have a need to share their knowledge with others

THIRD QUARTER They have developed a structured belief system that they strongly adhere to and avow

WANING CRESCENT (Balsamic) These people feel freed of the past, a future visionary.

August Crossword Answers

Across

7. CIAN—Lugh was the son to this person and Ethlinn.

8. CHRISTOPHER PENCZAK—studied with Laurie Cabot

9. OVATES—who was it that worked with the processes of death and regeneration?

10. THIRD QUARTER—They have developed a structured belief system that they The person have developed a structured belief system that they strongly adhere to and avow

Down

1. ABRAHAM CHERRIX—a 16 yr old patient

2. BROTMESSE—August 1 is the Norse celebration of what?

3. LUGHNASADH—celebration in August

4. CELTIC VIRTUES—honor, loyalty, hospitality, honesty, justice and courage..

5. BURDOCK—planet is Venus

6. PERIDOT—"Stone of the Seer"

September 2006 Crossword Puzzle Clues

Across

4. Gardner's High Priestess

5. Father of many paths

6. Cologne France

9. Lord Imperator

10. special magic

Down

1. (c.700)

2. Church of England

3. Polygonatum biflorum

7. the one that worked with the processes of death and regeneration

8. The rest escapes the grasp of Rome until the arrival of Caesar. September 2006 Crossword Puzzle

1

2

3

4

5

6

78

9

10

Created with EclipseCrossword — www.eclipsecrossword.com KIDS KORNER Site is free -- http://lorasworld.com/free_pagan_coloring_pages.htm

Elsie's Fall Baking (and Pooka helping!)

PAGAN PARENTING

(please note: this is considered a sharing page only)

This is a page for readers to assist other readers with anything related to Parenting. CEPF wishes to express that all information and / or opinions taken and utilized are the sole responsibility to the person. Please be advised that CEPF, and / or affiliates are not held responsible for any / all outcomes. You may send in your questions or responses and they will be printed here for others to assist you with in the next issue.

Letter 1—

I want to teach my three kids the differences between Paganism and Christianity, but I don’t want them to feel that they need to pick one over the other. How can I do this?

Namaste -

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous—

Depending on the age of the children involved, my suggestion is to blend the two paths together. Let your children do Pagan related activities, like coloring, or something with you when you do a ritual next time; and let them go to Sunday school and do their activities as well. This may help the children to understand all sides of spirituality and then when they become older, they can choose their own path. This way they will already have a good understanding and their choice will be based on their personal beliefs and not any other persons. Good luck Namaste Rev A Sampsell ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Letter 2—

My parents know that my husband and I are Druid, but they are Catholic and they feel that we are evil. I want my parents to accept my chosen path, without being mean or disrespectful to them. Can you please help me?

Tia

Dear Tia -

This is a very difficult question, but this is my suggestion to you. Sit down with your parents and explain that you are not evil, nor is the path of Druidism. Let them know that you have not turned your back on your upbringing and you are not being disrespectful to them because you chose a different religious path. Let them come to terms with this knowledge, for they may feel hurt right now. Later, try to invite them to a gathering so they see for themselves first hand what Druidism is like, this may let them know that you or your path is not evil. They may accept this in time this way also. Just remember, initialize the conversation in a non-threatening way, show respect and let them tell you their feelings as well. Communication is usually the best tool that you have, as long as there is no threat or arguing.

Good Luck

Namaste

Rev A Sampsell

SUPPORT PAGE

(please note: this page is used for the support of your path). CEPF wishes to express that all information and / or opinions taken and utilized are the sole responsibility to the person. Please be advised that CEPF, and / or affiliates are not held responsible for and / all outcomes. You may send in your questions or responses and they will be printed here for others to assist you with in the next issue.

I recently explained to my neighbors about my path, since they seen me doing a ritual in my back yard. We talked for a very long time and they want to come to my next gathering. I am a practicing Wiccan and I believe that taking the time to explain to the neighbors the things they witnessed helped not only them, but me as well.

Name withheld

Name Withheld;

I wanted to say congratulations on taking a positive approach with your neighbors. I am happy that is has worked out so well for you.

Congratulations again

Namaste

Rev A Sampsell

Pagan Issues World Wide

More witchcraft claims made

GENEVA – A child is the fifth former patient of a Delnor-Community Hospital psychologist to claim that witchcraft was part a part of therapy.

The allegations in the latest lawsuit are similar to four other lawsuits filed in Kane County that name the Geneva hospital and Letitia Libman, who worked as a psychologist at a Delnor-run facility in St. Charles.

Richard Stavins – attorney for the alleged victims – said Thursday the suit would be filed today, and involves a "school-aged" child. He would not disclose the girl's age, who was referred to as "Jane Doe" in the complaint, and who reportedly was younger than 13.

The lawsuit states Libman treated the minor from November 2003 to November 2004, and "administered witchcraft under the guise of therapy."

The lawsuit also alleges that Libman had "inappropriate and improper" physical contact with the minor and incorrectly diagnosed her condition.

Libman could not be reached for comment. She has denied the allegations. Delnor also is named in the lawsuit, and alleges the hospital failed to monitor and supervise Libman.

Hospital spokesman Brian Griffin said he could not comment on specific allegations.

"We take patient complaints of this nature very seriously and are always concerned with the well-being of our patients," he said.

According to the complaint, the minor has post-traumatic stress disorder and an anxiety disorder due to Libman's treatment.

She is seeking an undisclosed sum of money that is more than $50,000, plus costs of the lawsuit, the complaint states.

Since March 2005, former patients of Libman's have filed malpractice suits against her and the hospital.

The other patients – Kathleen Carlson of St. Charles, Shelley Standau of North Carolina, Kenneth Sutter of St. Charles and Deanna Whetstine of Chicago – also are suing.

There are more than 100 acts of negligence named in those lawsuits.

Besides witchcraft practices, the claims allege Libman made sexual advances toward her patients and discussed the sexual experiences of other patients.

Another claim alleges Libman had Whetstine clean her home.

We will do our best to keep you updated on this topic... Pagan Business Review

This is to advertise Pagan Businesses

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