WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 2 YULE 2007 WGM YULE 2007 STAFF

GSW: CONTENTS Editor: FrogsDancing Staff Writers: Silverheron, JanicaJayne, The Color of Winter ...... 3 Silentfaun The Phoenix Project ...... 4 NEWS: Club, Committee, House/Lodge Updates ...... 5-7 Editor: Belenus Awards & Milestones ...... 8-9 Staff Writers: Sapphire Soleil Faculty Updates ...... 9 The Rainbow Path ...... 10 WIZARDING: New Classes ...... 11 Editor: Tigersmoondiva GSW Tips & Tricks ...... 12 Staff Writers: Areeya, Jymi, Silverheron, The Great Symbol Display Debate ...... 13 Eilwen, Aniuvris Bunky’s Vision ...... 14 Not With Your Eyes ...... 15 OPINION: Ancient Americas More Sophisticated than First Thought ... 16 Editor: Xyaida Mainstream Students Embrace ...... 17 Staff Writers: Areeya, Spirit of Youth, Letters to Grey School ...... 18 Sapphire Soleil, Aniuvris Samhain to Yule: A Season of the Wheel ...... 19 SCIENCE: Magic in the Southern Hemisphere ...... 20 Editor: Jymi Color Conversations ...... 21 Staff Writers: Moonwriter, Tigersmoondiva, The Forest’s View of ...... 22 Kore-Rhi REVIEWS Composing Magic ...... 24 ARTS & CULTURE: Gargoyles ...... 24 Editor: Spirit of Youth Folklore ...... 25 Staff Writers: Artemis Gryphon Snowhawk, Interview with Professor Hopman ...... 26 FrogsDancing, Silentfaun Yule Upside-Down ...... 28 FOOD: Tarot: Another 78 Cards?! ...... 29 Editor:POSITION OPEN! Courtesy ...... 30 Staff Writers: Artemis, Eilwen, Poem: The Color of Sound ...... 30 Tigersmoondiva Ancient Runes Today ...... 31 Light and Colors: Pigments of Your Imagination ...... 32 ART: The Traditional Colors of Yule ...... 33 Lead Artist: Areeya A WGM Staff Cookbook ...... 34-42 Staff Artists: Jymi, Lady Sigel, Moony Poem: Newgrange Sunrise ...... 43 ADVERTISING: Editor: Xyaida COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Janicajayne PERMISSIONS AND ACQUISITIONS: FrogsDancing COPY EDITOR: KoreRhi PUBLISHER: Jymi CONTRIBUTORS: NicholasoftheCross, Quiet Bear, Prof. Sherwood, Starwynd Panther, Rowan Greyheart, Raistlin Loreseeker, Leop- ardDancer, Belenus’ Wife, Belenus’ Mom, and whoever wrote that letter about the Gnomes. Whispering Grey Matters is a quarterly newsletter produced by and for the students and faculty of The Grey School of THE COVER was done by none other than Wizardry (www.greyschool.com). All contents herein are © Katlyn Breene! See her portfolio at: 2007 Grey School, except where otherwise noted. Copyrights http://www.mermadearts.com/ revert to original authors and artists upon publication. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 3 YULE 2007 The Color of Winter By Prof. Moonwriter

What color is winter? Say “winter” and But what color is winter? When I think of most people imagine the clean white winter, the color that slips into my mind of snow, falling silently to blanket the is blue. I imagine the long, bluish shad- world with cold purity. Of course, after ows of dusk, the indigo of a rainy sky, a day or two, it gets all dirty gray and and the azure shades that play along piles up at the roadside, but when it first snowdrifts. I recall a trip to Alaska, floats down, ah…. It’s gorgeous. Nothing camping in the mountains of the Turna- like it. gain Arm, beneath a glacier that glowed icy turquoise. And I think of the stories Sadly, not everyone gets the white stuff. my mom told me, about growing up on For those of us living in the Pacific North- a ranch in Malin, Oregon. Her dad would west, our winter is more likely to be col- go up into the hills and cut juniper trees ored ‘clear and wet’ instead of cold and for Christmas. One tree—a big one—was white. No matter—we appreciate our brought into the living room to become rain, for it contributes to brilliant, Tech- their Christmas tree, bedecked with nicolor springs and summers. homemade decorations. Two smaller trees were placed below the front porch, And speaking of Technicolor, for those flanking the porch steps and covered of you who think winter and the holi- with blue lights. There was always snow days are the perfect time to head for on the ground by then, and Mom talk- the nearest mall, you might color winter ed about how beautiful the trees were, ‘multi,’ a myriad of bright lights and glit- with their blue lights glowing against the tering hues… snowdrifts, shining in the dark. I wish I could have seen that. …which are reminiscent of the northern and southern lights—the aurora borealis However you color your own and aurora australis, respectively. These season, here’s wishing that it’s safe and swirling, spectacular ribbons of light— happy! usually in brilliant reds and greens—fill the sky in the ex- treme northern and southern realms, es- pecially during the winter months.

Winter invariably has different meanings for different people. While those of us in North America—es- pecially the norther- ly parts—spend the winter wearing wool sweaters against he darkening days, our friends ‘down under’ might go surfing on Christmas Day, or enjoy a barbecue under a hot, golden Sun.

Areeya WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 4 YULE 2007

THE PHOENIX PROJECT

By: Silverheron

By now everyone within the halls of The Grey School of Wiz- ardry is aware of the changes that are happening on line for us aka “The Phoenix Project”. Many of you may be wonder- ing how it is coming along and what to expect next, so with that in mind, I went straight to the source. The following is what I found out from our beloved and hardworking Tral- feyn on just where we are to- day with the project.

The project itself is about 75% complete. There have been some new system advances since the project started but these advances should not prove to create much time lost in implementation.

The next stage that is be- ing worked on is upgrading the current system from one that is geared mostly towards personal websites to one that is more organization based. This change should take place sometime in December. The advantages of these system changes are that while the coding is more complicated it is more secure. It also will al- low a lot more to be done with school with features that allow teachers to upload graphics to Phoenix Logo by Jymi X/0 their classes, such as a way to automatically monitor class enrollment limits. The system will also make the class/lesson/test creation process easier.

This has been a major undertaking and will be well worth it in the end. Patience is the key with anything that is worth doing.

If anyone has any questions at all Tralfeyn says his door is always open and you can contact him through the Site Administration forum or through [email protected]. IJKLMNOPQSIJKLNOPQS WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 5 YULE 2007 THE OUTDOOR CLUB

The Outdoor Club is a newly formed club that is still in its early stages. At the present time they are still deciding on a final name. The Faculty Advisor for the club is Rainbow Stonetalker and Sola Dragonshadow is president. When asked what this club was about, Sola Dragonshadow responded “The idea of the Club is to help those who struggle with the outdoors to get the help and suggestions they may need to survive in the out doors, be it a hike or a camp- ing trip. Also for the outdoors to survive us being there. We hope to show the magick of the outdoors and how nature does recycle its self if allowed to.” Presently they have plans to create rituals to cleanse and bless a campsite, which could be used at some of the coming year’s conclaves.

At this time if you are looking for a club that with a natural theme this may be for you. The outdoor club would love to have more members.

THE5 DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS CLUB By: NicholasoftheCross, Defensor Secundus - DADA Club

Fall equinox 2007, the DADA club had elected their new officers! It is my pleasure (as Defensor Secundus) to announce our acting officers of DADA Club.

Mysty - Defensor Amplus NicholasoftheCross - Defensor Secundus and Laneth, Defensor Emeritus is acting as our “officer advisor.” b

Also, take advantage of some Merit points for creating a Defensor Kit!!! What is a “Defensor” you ask?? Visit our club site to find out all about it!!

THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY AND CARE OF BEASTS

The Society for the Study and Care of Beasts is a newly revived club that at this time has not elected officers. The Faculty Advisor for this club is Leopard Danc- er. The main focus is the discussion of all beasts mundane and magickal. Within this club you will find the opportunity to discuss with others questions of others of the “Beastly” kind and also support others in their quest for more knowledge. At the present time the main project is to post an Animal of the Month to our discussion board and then each of the members add whatever information that they can find to the thread to increase each of our knowledge of the creatures that share our world. The club also is considering taking this activity one step further and presenting the information that we collect for the rest of the school. Once again new members are welcome. Bring your love of animals and your desire to learn more about them.

THE FELOWSHIP OF MAGICKAL ARTS

The Fellowship of Magickal Arts and Wizardly Crafts is another newly formed club that has its focus deeply within the Magickal Practice department. At this time the Faculty Advisor is Rain- maker but no officers have been elected yet. The club was started by Moon Snail and when asked what the main goal for the club was Moon Snail stated, “The clubs main goal is to create an online school “craft book,” of sorts, that will be available to all students. Students who wish to create things of their own, or simply want to do a project will be able to find projects and how to do them with pictures, detailed instructions, supply lists, difficulty ratings, and cost esti- mates. Everything from wand crafting, to simply making your own ink! You name it, we craft it.” This club is actively looking for new members. They presently have members that have a variety of talent from metal crafting to fabric crafting. Your interests and knowledge would be a welcome addition. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 6 YULE 2007 Marketing Committee Update

(Dec. 2007) By: Belenus After our tremendous marketing push that coincid- it: “Having started out that way myself (in 1962), as ed with last summer’s release of the last Harry Pot- well as having spoken to a few Pagan student groups ter book and the, “ and the Order of the on campus, I think there is immense potential there!” Phoenix” movie, our school now boasts of over 1000 We encourage any of our students who attend col- students. The Grey School has also run a successful leges to help us with this initiative by contacting your essay contest for those under 18 years of age on the magickal fellows, especially if there are organized stu- subject of “Why I want to be a Wizard,” the results of dent groups to work with. The special “GSW College which, were published in our Samhain edition of Whis- Kit,” will be made available soon for anyone who wants pering Grey Matters. to help with this. We are a special group with so much to offer the world, so let’s spread the word! Since then, the marketing committee and those as- sociated with it have been working on other projects, We also welcome any ideas for marketing our school, including a push for getting the word out at the fall and specifically we are trying to drum up ideas such Halloween and Samhain parties and a new adult es- as games, information sharing, etc. for our joint ini- say contest entitled, “What is the Most Astounding tiatives with WitchSchool and other magickal organi- Magickal Beast?” The deadline for entry into this con- zations. Send your ideas to [email protected] test is December 30th. Aimed at new and potential (that is my email address). students, the winners will be announced on January 15, 2008 in a special edition of our school newspaper Finally we very much encourage any of our school that will be publicly available and used for promoting members to “talk up” Grey School at any chat sites the Grey School of Wizardry. For more information on or other groups, with which you are involved. There this contest, go to the front page of the Grey School is also a set of Grey School website “buttons” avail- Website: www.greyschool.com. able for placing in personal websites for those who so wish to advertise our school. These can be found in Headmaster Ravenheart has worked tirelessly and the General Chatter forum. For help with marketing continues to promote the Grey School through the the school, Helega De Grey is creating a PR & Market- media. He is now starting into another round of radio ing website that will be available by the end January (and hopefully, TV) interviews related to the newly- 2008. This website will focus solely on the marketing published Bestiary. We all want to see him on Oprah! aspects of the school.

Plans are now in the works for a systematic outreach So to all our students and faculty, we thank you for all program aimed at university Pagan student groups. your efforts. It is because of you, that Grey School has We plan to put together a “GSW college kit” specific to become the extraordinary place it has, and we look to this audience and send it to student groups around the 2008 and beyond with great expectations. country and world. As Headmaster Ravenheart puts

Quiet Bear - I am back in a Purple phase. I - I’ve always FrogsDancing loved orange. For me it think it is because it unites red and blue, colors - gives energy and I associ that also often take center stage in my life. Gray ate it with happiness. - is the predominate color in my wardrobe. I find it neutral for others and me. Right now I am accent ing the gray with purples. I have found that most of the colors have been a “favorite” at least for a bit. Except white. White is the only color that I must take in very small doses. Too much white makes me antsy and aggressive. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 7 YULE 2007

Fundraising Committee Update By: Xyaida Just a quick message of what we are up to these days:

The Grey School Rings are close to being ordered! At this time we will be waiting until January 31st to send in our final order for our second round of school rings. If you are interested in ordering one of these fine rings designed by our very own Headmaster, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, please follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Go to the school store or follow the link http://www.greyschool.info/modules.php?op=modload&name =CCart&id=2 and order your ring.

Step 2: Write to Kristalbrooke ([email protected]) and let her know your ring size and the stone color of your choice. Plus verify the e-mail addie the payment was sent from and the mailing address you want it shipped to.

Step 3: PATIENCE!

Do remember there are colored stones for each Department! For more information keep an eye on the Retail Grey Matters forum!

Also, Auctions have slowed down at this time. We are working on another avenue and should be returning to specialty auctions soon; books and more. As always we would love any donation you would be willing for us to auction off for the ability to help support our school. Contact Kristalbrooke or myself ([email protected])

House and Lodge Updates The Society of the Four Winds By Belenus, Prefect

Following in the wake of a terrific Prefect in Talin, who is now a school Captain, the Winds Lodge is going strong with a lot of participation from new and old members alike. Under the guidance of our wonderful Lodge Head, Crow, we are on our way to having another stellar showing for the Lodge Cup and Lumos award. Many of our members have earned the Deans List and other outstanding awards and accomplishments.

I am privileged to work and play among such wonderful students of Wizardry. The bonds of friendship forming, and mutual support and respect here is palpable. Of course it helps that we are all members of a well run and exceptional school with a great staff and faculty. (I know I also speak for many of us in thanking Tralfeyn for his hard work and dedication, without which we would not have the terrific, cyber infrastructure for our school).

Awards are nice, but the other things, like spiritual growth and learning to help and encourage others are even more important, and I think that we are all, at the Winds Lodge, doing pretty well in this. I hope that when I step down as Prefect next spring, our Lodge will be just as strong as it was when Talin left office.

Happy Yule and Mid-Summer Solstice! Correction to Our Fall/Samhain 2007 Issue:

It was incorrectly reported that FrogsDancing was award- ed a Taser Wand award for duties performed at the AZ 2007 Conclave. Frogs did perform the duties required for stu the award, but was ineligible for a Taser Wand as she was and is not a member of the DADA Club. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 8 YULE 2007

Dean’s List Dragons Light, since 12/10/2007 Onyx Raven, since 12/10/2007 FrogsDancing, since 12/10/2007 Emrhys, since 12/10/2007 Spirit of Youth, since 12/5/2007 Starwynd Panther, since 12/5/2007 Current H/L Heads Tau Peristera, since 12/5/2007 Aamber Phoenix, since 12/5/2007 Houses: Odilla, since 12/3/2007 Gnomes: Aaran Sherwood Earthdrum, since 11/27/2007 Salamanders: Grey Panther Earth Song, since 11/26/2007 Sylphs: Tigersmoondiva Artemis Gryphon SnowHawk , since 11/19/2007 : Rainmaker Roue, since 11/15/2007 Eilwen, since 11/15/2007 Lodges: Sola DragonShadow, since 11/15/2007 Flames: Cala’ Sanjaru/LeopardDancer Sapphire Soleil, since 11/5/2007 Stones: Moonwriter Mysty, since 10/15/2007 Waters: Duir Kallista, since 10/13/2007 Winds: Crow Dragontree Amberlights, since 10/8/2007 Awards Current Prefects The Golden Bough On 12 November 2007, Talin became the recipient of the and Captains “Golden Bough Award”. Congratulations! The Department of Lore hosts this award. *Requirements for Houses: this award can be found on the Office of Lore forum. Come House Captain: Wingseeker join the fun! Gnomes Prefect: Magelet Guardian of Gaia Salamanders Prefect: Treeotter On 3 December 2007, FrogsDancing met the qualifications Sylphs Prefect: X-Wolf the White to become the newest “Guardian of Gaia!” Congratulations! Undines: (not filled) *Requirements for this award can be found on the Office of Nature Studies forum. Come join the fun! Lodges: Lodge Captain: Cashew Lodge Vice Captain: Talin Flames: Janicajayne Stones: StormRaven Waters: Dark Eagle Winds: Belenus WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 9 YULE 2007 Our 1000th Student!

On 30 November 2007, the Headmaster reported that our 1000th student had been accepted to the school. It was actually the second time the school reached number 1000, as there had been a recent purging of inac- tive students. At last check we had 1011 students registered at the GSW. a Congratulations! And Best Wishes for continued growth and success!

100th Student passes Plagiarism Self-Test

On 8 November 2007, X-Wolf the White became the 100th Grey School Member to Pass the Plagiarism Self-Test! Congratulations! b The Self-Test can be found in the “Dean of Students” forum under the heading “Basic Grey School Academic Policies.” or you can try this link: http://www.greyschool.info/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=740

Good Luck!

Areeya Faculty Updates Mabyn Wind is taking a sabbatical from Grey School. She is scheduled to return around 1/5/08. Professor Ellison has taken over Listening to Legends 201. A substitute is still being sought for Bardic Magick. c Willow Silverhawk will be taking a sabbatical. She is scheduled to return on or near 3/1/08. She had no classes, so no subs were arranged. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 10 YULE 2007

THE RAINBOW PATH By: Silverheron

At some point in our student careers here at the Grey School of Wizardry each of us will have to choose a major. For many of us that can be quite a daunting task given there are so many wonderful choices to choose from. If you find that you just cannot decide on just one path to follow and you have committed yourself to learning all you can about wizardry you just may want to consider the Rainbow Path. There are two types of Rainbows, both Greater and Lesser. Professor Barrette describes the requirements for each as follows.

1. Completing any combination of student Majors and/or creating and teaching a class in each of the 16 departments earns the “Greater Rainbow” designation.

2. As a faculty member: completing any combination of Majors, Minors, and/or creating and teaching a class in each of the 16 departments earns the “Lesser Rainbow” desig- nation.

(The class that is created must be from scratch, a Non- class)

Professor Moonwriter is just one of several people pursuing the Rainbow Path. When asked what makes her want to pursue it she states that “To be the best wizard I can be, and the best teacher, it behooves me to know as much as I can about all sixteen departments”. Professor Moonwriter has presently written classes for 13 of the 16 departments so she is well on her way to becoming a Rainbow Wizard.

So if you just can’t decide what path is right for you, never fear, you truly can have it all. Start with the major that attracts you most but keep working hard and you can achieve Rainbow Status. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 11 YULE 2007 NEW CLASSES Odin’s Gift: Rune-Casting 201 Department: Level: 2 Foreign Language Credit: German Credits: 2 Department: Magickal Practices Teacher: Uta “Rainmaker” Stelson Level: 1 Pre-requisites: none Credits: 1 Teacher: Uta “Rainmaker” Stelson Pre-requisites: None Physics 301: Mass, Force and Waves Department & Magical Sciences Credits: 3 Year Level: 3 Herbcrafting 201: Potions and Brews Teacher: Jymi X/0 In this class, students will learn to prepare Prerequisites: None. herb-based infusions (simples and potions, both hot and cold), decoctions, syrups, steam and shower inhalants, skin wash- The Tree Ogham and Divination es, baths, and magickal charged waters. Department: Divination Level: 4 Credits: 3 Teacher: Rev. Skip Ellison Pre-requisites: “The History of the Oghams” (Lore Weather: The Science Department) and “Tree Ogham Divination Disks” Department: Nature Studies (Divination Department) courses. Level: 3 Credits: 3 Teacher: Uta “Rainmaker” Stelson Pre-requisites: none Bee Mastery 201: Meet the Bees Department: Beast Mastery Level: 2 Credits: 2 Literature 301: High Wizardry Teacher: Uta “Rainmaker” Stelson Department: Wizardry Pre-requisites: none Level: 3 Credits: 2 Teacher: Tiger’s Moondiva Class Description: High Wizardry Prerequisites: “Literature 102: So You Want to be a Wizard” and “Literature 201: Deep Wizardry”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rainbow_above_Kaviskis_Lake%2C_Lithuania.jpg GNU Free Documentation license WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 12 YULE 2007 GSW Tips & Tricks Compiled by: janicajayne

FrogsDancing: I would just recommend that you be- come active in your House/Lodge. It will become your best resource during your stay. Check out the Dean of Quiet Bear: I’ve found it use- Students area and check out the Lumos Award. It is the ful to check out the forums as first announcement listed. See what you can do to help often as possible. We all have your House/Lodge obtain a Lumos Award. What I do something to teach and the is copy and paste the entire class - assignments, tests feeling of being “the new guy” and final exams - from the moment I start a class into goes away soon. a Word doc. This way I can work on essays, prepare for tests and final exams at my pace. I feel that I can ask better questions when I need to, if I have an idea of what the instructor expects me to get from a class.

Moonwriter: Every time you pass a class, do a cut-and- paste copy of your transcript Aniuvris: I do the same thing as for safekeeping. FrogsDancing with all my classes. But also, I have a color codification for my completed classes and com- Mysty: Before hitting the submit pleted essays. That helped me to button to request an essay test, have a better knowledge about what copy and paste the essay question I have left. into a word document. Once you hit the submit button, the essay question disappears until its been approved by the professors. Ste: I totally print out all my lessons up to the next essay I need to complete, and now also print out the essay description. Xyaida: OK, you all have to know what I’ve been doing my essays in word and then I am going to say here ... the two things copying them into the box. Best thing I’ve a new student should do after checking started for myself is starting a binder with into their Home here at GSW is to do the my classes and reference materials. I love Self-Test for Academic Policies and to organization. download and read the Student Hand- book. Both have helped me so far with my stay here.

Aurora DawningMoon: If there is a final exam mul- tiple choice test, look over each lesson for key topics and try to figure out the “sum it up” sentence of the lesson. These more often than not relate to the ques- tions on the final exam. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 13 YULE 2007 Breaking News: The Great Symbolic Display Debate By Xyaida On Saturday, December 8th, in the small City host the nativity scene but Carucci refused. There of Olean, NY, a 5-foot purple and white pentacle have been rumors of a Jewish Menorah coming was displayed next to a Nativity scene in front of next but it has yet to be confirmed. Olean Municipal Building to represent the Wiccan Winter Solstice. On the evening of Monday, December 10th, about 10:15 PM, the 5-foot pentacle was run down. A The Mayor, David J. Carucci, had given permis- dark-colored pick up was found fleeing the scene sion to a private group months prior (without and the police are investigating the situation; notifying Common Council) to display this Nativ- considering this vandalism also as a hate crime. ity scene on city property. April Garlow, a local The pentacle was stood back up with the tire Wiccan practitioner, contacted Americans United marks and all. for Separation of Church and State. This group advised that the Nativity scene needed to be re- On Tuesday, December 11th, the Nativity scene moved or they need to adopt a policy which al- was removed from the site and resurrected in lows displays from other , organizations front of the Baptist Church, just a block away. and groups. On Wednesday, December 12th, John Garlow went down and removed the pentacle which had Before it was displayed on city property, the pen- been put there in response to the Nativity scene. tacle had been erected in front of the home of They had agreed that if the Nativity scene were the Garlow family. Someone had either egged removed they would in turn remove the penta- or used some other kind of solvent which caused cle. there to be repairs done even before it was placed in front of the Municipal Building. There has been a lot more learning over all in this town on many levels and an Since the pentacle has been placed out dated city ordinance for displays there, all kinds of controversy has in the public parks will be reevalu- stemmed from this decision. At- ated and established due to these tendance to Common Council has issues within their town. improved; both supporters and those who oppose the pen- For more information about tacle are sharing their opin- this story, check out ions on Church and State, BuffaloNews.com. and how their city should handle this situation.

Mayor Carucci refused to remove the penta- cle and offered other beliefs to come forth and share their holi- days here too. Many churches and private residents offered to

Work Cited: 11/28/07 – The Buffalo News: Other WNY: Wiccan pentacle OK’d to share space with Nativity scene near city building http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/otherwny/story/216553.html 12/11/07 – The Buffalo News: Other WNY: Addition of pentacle intensifies holiday display debate http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/otherwny/story/226300.html 12/11/07 – The Buffalo News: Other WNY: Wiccan symbol is run over in Olean http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/226505.html 12/12/07 – The Buffalo News: Other WNY: Shift of Nativity scene defuses debate on symbols http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/226505.html WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 14 YULE 2007

ByBunky’s Belenus Vision

Pagan, new-age, religious and spiritual supplies and gifts, as well as providing reiki and yoga services. She has done well and had even added a coffee shop to the store. Now, with Bunky’s assistance, who had been using some of the space to teach basic Pagan classes and practice reiki, Lori is expanding her store again.

But the real story is in Bunky’s vision, which has been 15 years in the making, and I think was instrumental in his winning the lottery when he did. For 15 plus years, Bunky had been dream- ing of creating a sanctuary for Pagan practic- es, a kind of school if you will, but more like a church. For weeks before buying his winning ticket, Bunky kept getting messages from divi- nations that he ought to free up more time from his days, he thought, “wait a minute, I have a business to run; you know, bills to pay.” But the messages kept coming. Somewhat frustrated, Bunky finally threw up his hands and said, “Ok, let me win the lottery.” And he did! Wow! That’s a nice gift from the Lord and Lady! He now had the resources to make his dream a reality. Bunky at Lori’s Mystickal Voyage, New Age Gift Shop

When someone wins millions of dollars in the lot- Bunky is now busy searching for a 20 acre tract of tery, they most certainly get a lot of attention, not to land, somewhere in Maryland that will suit his plan mention offers to help them spend their new-found to build a sanctuary where people of all faiths and wealth. Mr. Ellwood Bartlett, 41, known as “Bunky,” denominations, Pagan, Christian or otherwise, can a new mega-millions winner who resides near Balti- gather to practice rituals and hold services, even get more, Maryland, is different. Oh, he gets the attention trained on managing the business side of running a alright. “I received about a thousand emails a day,” coven or other kind of religious institution. As Bunky he says, “and when they found out where I lived, it puts it, “this is not going to be ! It will how- was time to move.” More people than he could count, ever, provide a space with structure for Pagan and were asking for handouts, and as an accountant, he other services, complete with paid clergy, training and is trained to count. During my discussion with Bunky, management.” I found him to be both very together, and fun at the same time. Just a great guy! The kind of person you It is really the beginning of a larger, long range vi- would say should win the lottery. sion for the Pagan community. Did I mention that Bunky tends to think big and doesn’t seem shy in tell- Bunky won 84 million dollars, and after taking the ing about it? He is running as a write in candidate for lump sum and paying the taxes, he netted 33 million. President, and I would not be one to discourage him. He immediately split the winnings among his family. But the vision for his real passion is nothing short of “Family is very important to me. I gave them each a uniting Pagans throughout the world; that is, giving portion, a lawyer and an accountant, and told them to them a certain amount of formal organization. listen to the professionals, and you’ll be ok for the rest of your lives.” He also donated 200 thousand dollars to This in part, is so Pagans and Wiccans will be taken the Special Olympics and has given to other charities. seriously. He suggests that too many are still in the But the story doesn’t end here; not by a long shot. broom closet, afraid of showing themselves because of misconceptions and too often prejudices and even Retired now, as might be expected, Bunky is busier persecution. And although there is religious tolerance than ever. Until his life-changing event, he ran a book- in the United States, is just not thought of keeping business and now has someone else run it as a real , and so doesn’t always get the pro- for him. A former client, Lori, is now a new business tection other institutions do. Yes, Bunky wants to help partner. Lori owns and operates a metaphysical store turn Wicca and Paganism into an organized religion. in Nottingham, MD, called Mystickal Voyage that sells This by many estimates will be a pretty hard task, as WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 15 YULE 2007 Pagans have traditionally liked to have their autonomy and do things their own way. Not a problem under Bunky’s plan. “I don’t care how you practice or what you believe, just as long as no one is harmed.” Subjective? Yeah, it can be, but not terribly so in my opinion.

This will all begin with his Willow Spring Sanctuary (http:// willowspring-sanctuary.org/) a place that is to be part semi- nary, part training school and part retreat center, with space for anyone to gather and hold rituals and services in a beau- tiful, natural setting. When this is up and running smoothly, expansion; a kind of franchising if you will is the next phase of the plan. Relatively unnoticed, the wizard behind the cur- tain will take care of legal and organizational issues, so that groups and covens can enjoy protection, structure and pro- fessionalism, while pursuing their passions and beliefs freely. No, I don’t believe Bunky thinks he is God, far from it. He does however have the qualities of a great leader, and a vi- sion that might just take hold, if for no other reason, than it just seems to makes good sense.

So what would you do with a lottery Jack-pot? I would like to think that I would do similarly good things if it were me. Let’s face it, consumerism in this country is rampant, and you can only have so many cars and large screen TV’s. I think the Lord and Lady have better expectations of us than we have demonstrated so far. I say good for Bunky! Areeya

“NotA commentary With by Sapphire Your Soleil, Order Eyes,of the Dancing For Flames They Are Wise”

“ …try to see it, not with your eyes, for they are wise, but see it with your ears: the cool green breathing of the leaves. And hear it with the inside of your hand: the soundless sound of shadows flicking light….” El Gallo – From The Fantasticks book and lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt (1)

As promising wizards we are asked in many of our classes to consider different ways of looking at things. Visualize a protective shield around you. What color is your aura? Can you see someone else’s aura? (I can’t yet. I’m still prac- ticing that one!) Can you take what you know from one sense and learn something new from it with another sense? The passage above from the off-Broadway musical, The Fantasticks, has always intrigued me. For within author Tom Jones is asking us to—well--act like a wizard! It is the magickal moment in the show. Can you see green if you don’t know what green looks like? Could someone blind from birth know what green was? They could, of course. Perhaps not the way I think of green, but in their own way. Maybe they can hear it.

Read this, then close your eyes and “hear” it. Think about it for a moment, imagine it.

“The cool green breathing of the leaves.”

Are you back now? Could you see it with your ears?

Color is just one of the many things we see all the time, take for granted really. I know purple because my eyes have seen purple. But to see it with wizard’s eyes sometimes it takes a little more work. It is easy to see a color with your eyes “for they are wise” they know color when they sense it. But to see it with your ears, or hear it with the inside of your hand, that takes something more. That takes a little bit of magick and practice. So go out and taste some red with your nose. Smell some blue with your tongue; develop your senses so they may all become as wise as your eyes.

For the complete passage of this lovely monologue from the Fantasticks visit this website. http://www.whysanity.net/monos/fantas2.html WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 16 YULE 2007 Ancient Americas more Sophisticated Than First Thought By Sapphire Soleil

The ruins of a 4,000 year old temple were found on the coast of Peru last month causing archaeologists to re- evaluate their ideas about ancient cul- tures in the Americas.

Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva led the government-funded dig about 450 miles from Peru’s capital, Lima. At a site called Ventarron, the ancient tem- ple was found hidden inside another, larger ruin. The discovery of the site makes it one of the oldest temples to be found in Peru, a country rich in ar- chaeological treasures.

Although the discovery of the temple alone would have been remarkable, the painted murals on the walls of the temple have caused the most excite- ment in the scientific community.

“What’s surprising are the construction methods, the architectural design and most of all the existence of murals that could be the oldest in the Americas,” said Alva to Reuters reporter Terry Wade.

It has long been known that the an- cient Moche culture, to which this site is considered connected, was sophisti- cated and even that they had murals, but none have been so well-preserved and so clear in their depiction of pre- Inca life. The mural found shows a deer hunt.

The Inca civilization dominated much http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Peru_Machu_Picchu_Sunset.jpg of the west coast of South America public domain from what is now Colombia down through Chile. They are probably best remembered for their amazing architecture that was so precise a piece of paper cannot fix into the cracks between the stones in a wall -- a wall without mortar. The people who built this temple pre-date the Incas by several thousand years and also appear to be highly complex in their design and architectural development.

For more information and pictures of the newly discovered site, see the websites listed below.

Sources

National Geographic News http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/11/071112-peru-temple.html Red Orbit – http://redorbit.com/news/science/1141768/peru_temple_mural_hints_at_complexity/index.html Yahoo news http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071111/sc_nm/peru_archaeology_dc_1;_ylt+Apu5Dft12JtsD71HfbLO2V WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 17 YULE 2007 Mainstream Students Embrace Magick By Belenus

Here at the Grey School of Wizardry, learning and practicing magick is taken for granted. It is a large part of what our school is all about and why it was formed. But something is brewing at other schools around the world. Magick is being practiced by uni- versity students. Some see it as another form of prayer, many practice it as an integral part of their Wiccan beliefs and others just like to use magick as a way to improve grades, attract love and to protect and heal themselves or friends.

“There is a cultural shift with college students identi- fying themselves less as religious and more spiritual,” says Rev. Thomas Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse. More and more universities are recogniz- ing Wiccan holidays and affording the same tolerance given to more mainstream religions, now to earth- based religions that include magick in their rituals. According to the Pagan Student Association of Ohio State University, “Magick is the ability to use your will to effect real and positive changes in your life.” Sound familiar?

Universities have always been a bastion of freedom of thought and for the exchange of uncensored ideas. Even so, there are still misconceptions, fear and in- tolerance of those who practice magick, along with some unfortunate incidents of persecution. Said Son- dra Schroder, a student at SLU, “I have been told on multiple occasions that I am ‘going to hell’ for being Wiccan.” But Lisa Reiter, Director of Campus Ministry is quick to say, “If there were a student of any faith traditions that felt persecuted, I would hope they would come forward to have that addressed. Perse- cution, harassment and the like are taken seriously.” Areeya

The tide may be changing though. Magick and Witch- craft are becoming a part of some university’s curricu- Sources: lum. Alyssa Beall, a professor at Syracuse teaches an extremely popular course entitled, “History of Witch- Dal gCais, J., Wicca for non-pagans, retrieved on Dec. craft and Magick.” The demand for this course by en- 10, 2007 from: http://pagansa.org.ohio-state.edu/ thusiastic and curious students alike, has forced the wicca.html school’s administration to add several extra sections of the class. Wereszynski, K., Witches are big draws at the box of- fice, on TV — and apparently on college campuses, re- If trends like this continue, our Grey School of Wizard- trieved on Dec. 10, 2007 from: http://www.foxnews. ry may face competition from mainstream educational com/story/0,2933,72791,00.html institutions. This, I expect, would be a development we Wizards would joyfully welcome. Could we be en- Sidak, S., Wiccan students work magick at SL, re- tering a world where magick is not ostracized, but em- trieved on Dec. 10, 2007 from: http://media. braced, and the people are able to learn the wisdom www.unewsonline.com/media/storage/paper953/ of the ages along side our new discoveries of science news/2007/11/09/News/Wiccan.Students.Work. and thought? Where the walls erected from fear and Magick.At.Slu-3092357.shtml ignorance, to separate the present from our past, no longer stand? Could this be a new age of enlighten- ment? Enlightenment: 2.0? This is a place I would be happy to leave to my children! WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 18 YULE 2007 Letters to Grey School Professor Aaron Sherwood recently found this in her email box...

(edited slightly to preserve decorum and privacy...grammar and spelling errors have been left intact.)

Dear Sir/Madame/Gnome/Dwarf, Me and my bride recently saw your website while searching the internet for dwarves (she likes the beards) and we are very interested in finding out more about the application process as one of my many children appears to have several characteristics of a gnome and now spends most of his time looking for gold standing in flower beds or singing songs. My friend has a child who already attends your fine institute (you may be familiar with him, his name is J____ but most people call him ‘Sleepy’ due to his habit of falling asleep at inappropriate moments) he is very happy there and I think my own son would be just right for some of your more advanced teachings. He does not as yet have his own beard but he is happy with the beard wig he received for his 14th birthday will this cause him to be bullied in anyway by gnomes or dwarfs who have grown there own beards? I only have one further question and that is regarding future employment opportunities as I don’t think my undoubtedly talented child would be happy being simply a garden ornament or fishing by the side of a rich per- sons pond please could you send me a full prospectus for my careful consideration and I will be in touch with you shortly. (Will it be possible to send future messages by owl?)

Yours sincerely G____ J____.

Looking forward to a speedy response I do have room for 2 owls and 1 racing pigeon if you wish to send com- munications by bird or if you prefer contact me at [email deleted]

And here’s the good Professor’s reply:

Dear Mr. J______,

Thank you for your inquiry. For your information, I, myself, am not a Gnome or a Dwarf. However, I do look after Gnomes in my spare time and am happy to address your questions.

If your child has taken to standing in flowerbeds singing songs, perhaps it would behoove you to set an upside-down hat on the ground beside him so that he may successfully gather the gold you say he so diligently seeks.

Rest assured, your son would not be bullied for not having grown his own beard, for I insist all my Gnomes be clean shaven lest they or the other elementals in our school trip over their beards in the halls and injure themselves, to say nothing of the phenomenal ruckus they would cause, which would naturally disrupt classes.

As with any institution, we cannot guarantee future employment. Much will depend upon your son’s focus of study in subjects both magickal and mundane. However, I do think a few courses in the Bardic Arts would improve his income when standing on those flowerbeds busking.

Rather than sending you a prospectus, you would do far better to review the course materials themselves by picking up a copy of the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, which is available at many fine bookshops and online booksellers, including Amazon.com. A great many of our classes use this as the primary text. You will also find course descriptions on our web site by clicking on the Departments link on the left-hand side. Select a department of interest, click on its link and at the bottom of the page you will see a link to view the course list for that department.

On this side of the Floo Network, owls are raptors and not well suited to serve as messengers. Should further correspondence be necessary, I would suggest pigeon post, however, my bird, Thoth, has yet to return with a response from one of my comrades in Egypt. I do hope I’ve answered your questions and addressed your concerns satisfactorily. If you’ve any legitimate questions, do feel free to e-mail again. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 19 YULE 2007 Samhain to Yule: A Season of the Wheel By Areeya, Stones Lodge

And so the seasons turn as the seasons will, as we move from the powerful death of Samhain to the rebirth of Yule’s spark of light. I have always felt that Samhain is such a refreshing release. The tradi- tion of honoring ones ancestors can be a wondrous experience when the veil is thin- nest. I wish to speak of that quiet time of contemplation amidst the hubbub of the northwestern hemisphere’s winter holi- days, and the time of death before rebirth. The dark half of the year can be discon- certing to many, yet soothing to others. I feel it is like the time in the womb. Yes, Yes, I know there are turkeys to be basted (Tofurky for some of us Veg-heads, yum, yum), and perhaps pies to be baked. Why not make time amidst those holiday sales to honor that sacred time of gestation be- fore rebirth. Dress your altar as you dress your turkey. I like to light my altar of spirit with Copal Negro (a traditional incense burned on Mexico’s Day of the Dead) for Samhain and then change to an earthy Pa- tchouli Forest blend to celebrate the return of the light. Burn whatever incense that suits your part of this earth. But perhaps bear in mind that your candles, incense or other magickal tools might want to perpet- uate the honoring of all those small deaths this past year, clearing out enough space in ones spirit to allow for transformation. Maybe take time to make a lei of heady gardenia in remembrance, before dancing around Pele’s fire. The seasons can teach Areeya us the tempo of the land and of the Self. So whether you are traveling from Sam- hain to Yule up North, or from Ostara to Midsummer in the South, honor thy Self as thou honor those changes in season. For ABC on the journey of self-discovery there are many hidden worlds and wondrous adven- - tures that await thee along thy path.

- Color has always had signifi Starwynd Panther cance to me. I used to think of emotions, days of the week; even names of people had colors assigned to them. I remember telling my mom, “I feel yellow today” whenever I felt sick. I try to coordinate colors FDE by their associations in my magickal workings. I like to have colored candles and cloths that are apropos. It helps me feel a sense of belonging. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 20 YULE 2007 Magick in the southern hemisphere By Eilwen

I was lucky to get a chance to e-mail interview Pro- tions “Down Under”. The same is for circle casting: fessor Jeremy Brown, Dean of Healing, who lives in For some, it’s more important that the circle be cast Tasmania, the southern-most state of Australia. Since clockwise, so they don’t follow the way of the sun, Professor Brown was born and lived most of his life while others regard following the sun as more impor- in Indiana, he is experienced in both “northern” and tant, and change direction in the circle casting. “southern” magick. I also asked Professor Brown how it is for Australians Of course, the first difference that comes to mind is the that most of the books, all the literature we have for year cycle, which is the season being opposite to the our school and most internet information are adapted one on the northern hemisphere. Imagine getting into to the northern hemisphere. Apparently, Australians a plane in late autumn, like Professor Brown did when are (out of necessity) quite apt in translating things he moved to Australia about a year ago, and getting into their environment. Professor Brown stated that out some hours later in sunny and warm spring. For there are a number of Australian authors who spe- wizards, who are (or should be) in tune with nature’s cifically deal with the needs of southern hemisphere rhythm and cycle, being “beamed” across the year magick. Their readers, of course, really don’t have cycle could be quite a shock, I imagine. Apart from jet to do any work translating “northern” to “southern” lag, our bodies are used to the year cycle, and they magick at all – they feel right at home. Also, the spe- have just been deprived of half a year! Even though cific animal and plant kingdoms of the continent are many people state they could well do without winter, it included, things like wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, is a natural time for us to cut back, think about things eucalyptus trees and many more. and take time for ourselves. Professor Brown describes it as a “seasonal shock” When it comes to magick, I have also experienced the and states that it took him a while to re-orient himself “continent” problem myself when reading American to the different seasonal energies and get himself “in books. I still am in the northern hemisphere, but as a tune” again. European, I deal with different plants and animals. For instance, it would be natural for someone from Africa Of course, northern or southern hemisphere, the wheel to have a giraffe or lion as a totem, for an American, a of the year itself is the same. Just the dates are differ- buffalo or prairie horse, for an Australian, a koala or a ent. While we are normally talking in our forums about rabbit, and for a Swiss Person, a cow or a house cat. Yule coming up, please remember that half the world (the southern half of our globe) is rapidly approaching Professor Brown shared his own experience and the Midsummer! way he does magick with me: After a year in Tasmania, he is getting well in tune When I thought about the differences between the with the natural cycle, how the sun moves, and how hemispheres, before approaching Professor Brown, I the world around him feels different, or the same, as tried to imagine the sun in the north at midday. In the back in Indiana. Cold winds come not from the north, east at dawn, but then going around the wrong way, but from the south, and the sun is hot in the northern not in front of the house but in the back, and going sky. In the past year, he has adjusted his magickal down again in the west. It was really hard! Try it out, self to the new order of the elements and directions. it’s an interesting experience. I felt, this is not where While he is comfortable with doing magick both ways, the sun belongs! But of course, it is – in the southern casting circles clockwise or anticlockwise, placing Fire hemisphere. in the north or in the south, he feels the world he finds himself in is better reflected when following the sun, My idea is since the equator is in the north and the which means placing fire in the north and casting from warmer areas are in the north too, the quarter associ- east to north, west and south. ations need to change. That would make the element cycle: east = , north = fire, west = water, south More information can be found in: = earth. Also, a deosil (deosil meaning “”sun wise”) http://www.goddess.com.au/Links/SouthernHemi- circle casting would go the same way, following the sphere.htm circle of the sun and thus going anti-clockwise!

Professor Brown clarified this for me. He stated that many people see it this way, but generally, there is a bit of confusion about the disagreement on the actual practice. Some people follow the same elemental as- sociations as “Up Top”, whereas others adjust them the way I just described to match the different condi- WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 21 YULE 2007

sTasmania X

Bells Beach, Australia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bells-Beach-View.JPG Gnu Free Documentation license Color Conversations By Spirit of Youth Ever notice, when you meet some- esting topic of discussion. the new fall colors for handbags. one new, sooner or later the “What’s you favorite color” question pops Most of us learn basic colors before I’d suggest it might be because we up? Of course you did and we are kindergarten, so why do we hold are afraid of the quiet moments it all guilty of it, right? We couldn’t onto this? Is it that we feel others takes to listen to a new heart. Are think of anything more dramatic to may not hold their own with a more we afraid that if someone new has say, so we reverted to the old ‘color complicated subject? Often when the time to hear our spirit speak, conversation’ because we thought a topic is begun that I don’t under- they might not like what they hear, we might have something in com- stand or don’t know, I like to lis- so we founder for anything to save mon with this person and we’d like ten and ask questions. Perhaps I’ll us? Children aren’t afraid of a pause to hold their attention. simply admit; “I’m sorry, this is be- in conversation; why do we, as we yond my scope of knowledge; but age, refer to these as ‘awkward si- I began to wonder just what do we it does sound fascinating, please lences?’ do with this information? Let me explain.” One might be surprised suggest, nothing, it’s really a con- at just how generous people can Are we afraid to expose ourselves versation ender. be with information when asked in conversation, our thoughts and thoughtful questions with sincere opinions? It should be unacceptable When someone asks me this ques- curiosity. I am not afraid to expose to admit that the art of conversation tion I’m usually a little miffed, and myself as not knowing everything; has gone badly through the years, it has become habit to reply with a it is, in fact, a good way to keep a and people don’t take the time to question of my own; “My favorite conversation interesting. deliberately plan conversations and color for what?” topics of discussion. Perhaps we are afraid others will My irritation, it seems, stems from see us as ‘nerdy intellectuals.’ You If we are sharing crayons, what’s the realization that this person know the picture; oily hair, broken your favorite color might be an ap- with whom I have just become ac- glasses, and ink leaking from a pen propriate question. I want to give quainted can find no other topic to in the pocket of a poorly tailored others the credit of having the abil- discuss than crayons. Surely, by shirt buttoned to the neck. I am of ity to hold a deeper conversation; I the time we reach our teens, and the opinion I’m more attractive no know that I can. I should hope by the time we are matter what I’m wearing, discuss- adults; we can find a more inter- ing a subject with more depth than WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 22 YULE 2007 The Forest’s View of Fire By Prof. Moonwriter

Crown fire: a wildfire in Slash pile: a refuse pile con- which the flames have taining the after-effects of reached the treetops logging—splintered or unus- (crowns); crown fires burn able wood, wood fragments, hot and spread almost un- uprooted shrubs and saplings, controllably. etc.—bulldozed into a large pile; slash piles are sometimes Forest management: the idea burned intentionally, but if left that a forest may be healthier behind, provide a ready field or more economically produc- source for forest fires. tive if humans invest time in controlling the type, number, or density of specific plants Fuel load: the amount of (usually trees) or animals or available material within the the topography within a forest. forest that contributes to fire, Environmentalists view “forest once ignited. management” as an oxymoron.

Deadwood: in terms of a healthy forest, deadwood re- Wildfire: a syn- fers to pieces of dead or bro- onym for forest fire ken wood that fall to the forest floor; these may fall naturally or as a result of damage, e.g., Fuel ladder: the route by which a by logging practices. forest fir climbs from forest floor to treetops.

Nurse log: a tree that has fall- Ecosystem: a biologi- Biome: a large, natu- en to the forest floor and which, rally occurring com- as it decomposes, provides cal community of inter- acting plants, animals, munity of interrelating a fertile substrate on which plants and animals oc- new plants and trees can take and their physical envi- ronment. cupying a major habi- root and begin to grow. Over tat, e.g., a forest. hundreds of years, nurse logs merge with the forest floor, giving old forests their typical Duff: dropped and “lumpy” topography. decaying plant mate- rial that lines the forest floor

Backdrop by Areeya WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 23 YULE 2007 Forest fires are nothing new—at any plants. Many trees, including pon- hotter and out of control, killing off given time, some part of the world derosa pine and the giant sequoia, the older trees that would normally is ablaze, and the news reels with require fire in order to generate the survive to support the ecosystem. tales of human and habitat losses. hot temperatures needed to open Canopy openings—created by the The recent forest fires in Califor- their cones and allow seed release, logging of large trees—create con- nia caused not only loss of wilder- or require fire to keep the for- ditions for fuel ladders and crown ness and animal habitat, but also est floor clear of duff so that their fires, allowing flames to spread destroyed or damaged hundreds of seedlings will have enough sunlight across treetops. In these “man- human neighborhoods and private to grow. Without fire, such trees aged” forests, fire becomes cata- homes. Each fire season reignites cannot reproduce. strophic and destructive. controversy about fire prevention or suppression. On one side are Fire has other benefits as well. It Environmentalists decry the loggers and homeowners, who fa- processes dead materials more “Healthy Forests Initiative” (HFI) as vor selective logging (thinning) as a rapidly than decomposer organ- a scheme allowing loggers access to way to diminish a forest’s fuel load isms, and plants thrive in the rich, public lands and allowing logging in and fire risk; on the other stand mineral-laden soil left by fire. Birds the name of fire prevention and in environmentalists, who view fire as flock to exposed wood and nest- areas that should be off limits, i.e., a normal part of the healthy for- ing cavities left in burned areas. old-growth forests and biomes with est ecosystem and point to modern Deer and elk herds increase in re- keystone species. They point out logging as the root cause of cata- sponse to newly opened meadows. the negative secondary effects to strophic wildfires. Both positions Fires also provide a natural means the ecosystem, in the form of slash span a gamut of human, economic, of controlling such forest pests as piles, erosion, stream siltation, and and earth-based concerns. the spruce budworm, beetles, root landslides. rots, and more. The pro-logging camp believes that The argument goes on: the envi- centuries of forest mismanagement Yellowstone National Park provided ronmentalists want to see the for- have caused forests to overgrow, a living laboratory for studying the ests untouched, while those who creating a set-up for catastroph- beneficial aftereffects of fire. Dur- live among or harvest the trees ic fires and crowding out natural ing the summer of 1988, wildfires want to use them. We must re- meadow habitat. They recommend consumed some 800,000 acres of member that nature can’t always aggressive thinning of trees and the park’s forest. Today, Yellow- restore herself, and can’t recover removal of nurse logs from the for- stone’s meadows and forests are from a certain level of damage. Al- est floor to reduce the “fuel load” in lush with a transitional community though our forests have remained forests. They see selective logging of wildflowers, shrubs, and young healthy for millennia without hu- as buoying the sagging western trees. More diverse habitat and man intervention, we must bal- logging industry, and point out that better food supplies have benefit- ance a thirst for recreation and re- fires threaten communities, destroy ed a large group of creatures from sources against the need to sustain homes, ruin farms, and leave long- woodpeckers and hares to elks, healthy, wild ecosystems. Experts lasting environmental damage. lynxes, and bears. suggest a mixed approach, begin- In general, the more diverse the ning with controlled or “prescribed” On the other side of the fence, ecosystem, the healthier it is, and burns to mimic small natural fires environmentalists claim that tim- studies show direct harm to resi- and remove extra-heavy fuel loads ber harvest, through its effects on dent organisms and a decrease in from certain forests; selective thin- forest structure and fuel accumu- species richness in logged forests. ning and harvests would follow. lation, has increased fire sever- When fires are not allowed to oc- The goal would be to restore a ity more than any other factor in cur naturally and burn as nature natural tree density comparable to recent years. Fire is a normal and expects them to, exotic or invasive the mid- to late 1800s. Controlled natural part of the sylvan ecosys- species often take hold and prevent burning has historical precedent: tem. Forests are designed not only fire-adapted species from surviv- Native Americans used prescribed to tolerate but prosper from forest ing, as they would do after a nor- fire to burn and maintain vast ex- fires, and logging undermines and mal season of small fires. panses of grassland and prairie. may even destroy those capabili- The Sierra Club even supports pre- ties. Environmentalists also see the In a healthy forest, quick, small scribed burns, while vehemently suggestion of “thinning” as a back- fires periodically clear the forest opposing any associated logging. door allowing loggers increased ac- of dead wood, leaf litter, and other Optimal solutions may be slow in cess to our forests. fuel, leaving behind the large trees coming—but just as a diverse envi- and verdant nurse logs. In “man- ronment breeds strength, perhaps Who’s right? aged” forests, filled with logging’s a diversity of opinion will yield solid deadwood, slash piles, and artificial answers. Biologists know that fire has a clearings, and following decades beneficial impact on certain native of fire suppression, wildfires burn WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 24 YULE 2007 R E V I E W S Elizabeth Barrette’s Composing Magic; How to Create Magical Spells, Rituals, Blessing, Chants and Prayers

By Xyaida Order of the Dancing Flames

Readers will be impressed with the depth and detail of this book on many lev- els. Anyone with a basic knowledge of writing and an understanding of pagan terms will find this an essential guide! Prof. Barrette has done a magnificent job guiding aspiring writers and exemplifying the tools of writing in the con- text of a spiritual connection.

Written with teaching in mind, this book is a ‘user friendly,’ interactive work- book for anyone interested in writing everything from poetry to essay compo- sitions with a magickal result. There are many suggestions, explanations of terminology, and guides to relate your composition with your intent. Begin- ning with the basics of the writing processes, and guiding the reader to the details of the writer’s ‘tools of the trade.’ It continues by outlining the differ- ent forms and aspects of essay and poetry writing, guiding users to creating their own powerful spiritual works, including spells, rituals, blessings, chants, and prayers. The instruction is then complemented by outlining how to submit and share the final piece.

The ‘Exercises’ at the end of each Chapter are easy to follow, and will assist anyone using this book to discover what works best for them in composing magickal writing. A ‘must have’ guide for aspiring authors to indulge their artistic writing passions. Composing Magic; How to Create Magical Spells, Rituals, Blessing, Chants and Prayers is an essential tool for Wizards and others in the community who share a creative flare for magickal writing. Although an intermediate knowledge of writing and pagan terminology is needed to appreciate this book to its fullest, anyone with the desire to write spiritual works would benefit from the discovery of what this text has to offer.

Susan “Moonwriter” Pesznecker’s Gargoyles

By FrogsDancing

This is definitely a must-have book! It is fun to read and educational to boot. You will find no dull moments in this fast-paced and enjoyable book. Professor Moonwriter takes you on a journey into the mysterious world of the gargoyle; from their evolution and incorporation into buildings to their modern use in magickal practices. You have got to check out the wonderful exercises or “Try This” sections throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to taking the class on Gargoyles. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 25 YULE 2007

Video Game Review: Folklore

Release Date: October 20, 2007 Genre: Action/Adventure with RPG-like elements ESRB rating: Teen Publisher: SCEA Players: 1 Review: 4.5/5

Reviewed By: Rowan Greyheart Written By: Spirit of Youth

Sony Computer Entertainment’s Folklore for Playstation 3 is far from being an ordinary action adventure game. It takes the player beyond the mundane and deep into the imagination, proving it is more than just pretty pack- aging.

The first thing you’ll notice are the colorful, active and dramatic graphics: bright, light and fun, then suddenly dark and mysterious! You’ll enjoy the daylight filtering through the windows of the buildings and the lifelike ex- pressions and mannerisms of the characters, even the scenery takes on a lifelike response as walking charac- ters leave footprints and crushed grasses in their wake. You will find yourself laughing as the characters interact in ‘comic-strip’ bubbles, then gripped with anticipation, and even holding your breath with drama. The musical scores lend a mystical atmosphere, leading the player in and out of emotional response. Folklore includes two roles to play, in which you maneuver through intrigue by solving a series of mysterious murders to uncover a secret and hidden past. You will travel through five ‘realms’ including a ‘Faery’ Realm, ‘Warcadia,’ a battle torn land, and an ‘Undersea’ Realm: each filled with the hopes, fears and dreams of the characters’ living counterparts. You will encounter fierce beings called ‘Folks,’ representing human fears, once defeated give the ultimate re- ward of speaking with the dead. Throughout Folklore there are elements of Celtic history, including Celtic knot work embellishments, Irish ac- cents, runes, and suggestions of ancient traditions. The game explores the concept of transformation, and comments on the effects of the modernization of an ancient culture and its beliefs, stating clearly that history will not be forgotten in time. Even though the story line can get complicated unless you play both roles simultaneously, I highly recommend Folklore. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a casual history student, there is more to this game than play. You’ll find the entertainment, historical, and mystical elements an experience that will keep your Celtic history studies close by as you enjoy play. Who says games can’t be educational? WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 26 YULE 2007

ByInterview Artemis Gryphon Snowhawk with Professor Hopman Our very own Professor Hopman has written a book entitled: Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey, and How did you choose the title? graciously granted an interview. This book is for “any- The story follows a Druid Priestess, an herbalist, living one who has European ancestry might be interested in in third century Ireland. the religion that was practiced from the Black Sea to Western France and Ireland, for a thousand years.” It is called “A Druid Journey” because it is not just a novel; it’s also a spiritual text to be shelved with other Here are the rea- spiritual books. sons you should pick up a copy: There are plenty of warriors in the book as well, which makes the story interesting. What inspired you to write this How long have you pursued Druidism? book? I have been a Druid since 1984, one of the earliest I wrote the book members of the Order of ADF, ‘Ar nDraiocht F’ein: for a number of A Druid Fellowship, founded in 1983. In 1986 I co- reasons. founded the Henge of Keltria, serving as its Vice Presi- dent for nine years. In 1996 I started the Whiteoak I’m concerned that mailing list which officially became a Druid Order in some writers and 1997. I am a co-founder of the Whiteoak Order (Ord members of the na Darach Gile) and Co-Chief of the Whiteoak Order occult community (www.whiteoakdruids.org). are claiming that there were no fe- What format did you choose for this book? male Druids. One It is written like any novel, with separate chapters, author even says however, I have included an extensive glossary and that women were pronunciation guide to assist the reader in understand- not allowed access ing the ‘Old Irish’ terms used throughout the book and to the mysteries pertinent to the Druid religion. and that the only “real” Druidic relationship was be- There is also a list of resources at the back of the tween an older (male) mentor and a younger (male) book, as well as an interview with the publisher. student. How long did it take you to write this book? I have written an article about female Druids, Poets, This was my first book of fiction. While non-fiction Brehons, (lawyers and judges) and the evidence that takes between one and two years to write, I found we have for them; that will be published in the online this much more difficult because I wished to accurate- magazine Magical Buffet in February, 2008. ly represent the cultural and religious elements while creating an engaging story. Another reason I felt inspired to write this book is I often feel the winds of the Gods at my back, constant- This book took about nine years, including several re- ly urging me to write, teach, and celebrate the Druid writes and edits to the manuscript. tradition; my chosen spiritual path. I wanted to write a manual that would give the flavor of this tradition, Your book is scheduled for sale beginning Febru- its rituals, holy days, tools, practices and beliefs, in ary 1, 2008. a pleasant form for beginners. It is a Bardic teaching Why do you recommend readers pick up a tale, with the core tenets of our faith woven through copy? it, and any reader would be able to create a personal I hope that readers will get a sense of what a beautiful Druid practice by studying the book. tradition we share. Beginners to the Celtic or Druid path will be interested, not only in the story but in the Another aspect is while this book is not a strictly his- book’s guidance and the recommended reading listed torical account; it does reflect the culture of pre-Chris- in the back. tian Western Europe and the ways of our ancestors. Anyone of European ancestry might be interested in What do you hope readers will retain from your the religion that was practiced from the Black Sea to book? Western France and Ireland, for a thousand years, I believe readers will find reflections of modern times (roughly 500 BCE to 500 CE) and that has never com- in its pages. As I was writing it Religious Right was pletely died out. gaining precedence on the American political scene. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 27 YULE 2007 I did not realize until after I had finished that there were strong parallels between current politics and those of ancient times. Our ancestors had to struggle with issues between church and state, just as we are today.

Is there anything else you would like to add? I have another book coming out in May 2008 entitled A Druid’s Herbal – For Sacred Tree Medicine. This book will be a study in Druidic concepts regard- ing sacred trees and will act as a guide to the medicinal and magical uses of trees. I plan to make that a required text for my class at the Grey School called Tree Medicine-Tree Magic.

I am currently finishing a book on Scottish herbs and magic that should be out in late 2008 or early 2009. It has been a very busy year!

Our thanks to Professor Hopman for this enlightening discussion of her new book, we look forward to its release and to her future works. Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey can be ordered through Amazon. com at the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Priestess-Forest-El- len-Evert-Hopman/dp/0738712620/ref=sr_1_1/104-0162388-9389551?ie =UTF8&s=books&qid=1194801826&sr=1-1

You can also pre-order A Druid’s Herbal – For Sacred Tree Medicine at: http://www.amazon.com/Druids-Herbal-Sacred-Tree-Medicine/ dp/1594772304/ref=sr_1_1/104-0162388-9389551?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194802322&sr=1-1

Photo by Jymi X/0 WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 28 YULE 2007 Yule Upside-down By Artemis Gryphon Snowhawk

My husband and I have been talking about moving. I was thinking across the country, he suggested an- other country altogether! This started me thinking about the hemispheres, and the Earth’s rotation, and how this affects the seasonal holidays. Have you ever wondered how people on the other side of the world celebrate? This difference between festivals on both My fears have been somewhat allayed. I would have hemispheres appears to bring controversy each time had to adjust my thinking that summer is in June, it’s discussed. July, and August, and that Yule is in December. Mov- ing to a different hemisphere would mean my cel- Holidays are celebrated in accordance with the chang- ebrations come at different times. Particular dates ing of the seasons, using the same rituals, colors, may be different, but the rituals and color correspon- etc. These ceremonies are seasonally based, most dences remain the same. southern hemisphere festivals occur six months from their northern hemisphere counterparts. The northern http://www.coven-of-cythrawl.com/pagan_wheel_ hemisphere celebrates Yule in December. Those in Southern.htm Australia celebrate at the winter solstice on June 22- http://www.geocities.com/athens/2962/media/sun- 23. The Vernal Equinox is celebrated using light green, mail4_5_97.html lemon yellow and pale pink, colors of the new flowers http://www.paganspath.com/magik/sabbats.htm and plants. It is important not to confuse the dates with the seasons themselves. The holidays celebrate the changes of the seasons, the birth and death of the God, and the three aspects of the Goddess. Starwynd Panther What colors are used Down Under? The standard pro- ways found happiness - inI have blues al gression of the seasons shifts when you are on the and greens. They bring a cool - other side of the world. Yule celebrated in the northern hemisphere uses the standard colors, green (rebirth), ing and calming effect. Howev gold (incoming prosperity), and red (fire). Howev- er, I have been flirting with red - er, those in the southern hemisphere celebrate the a little bit recently. Perhaps I’ve - opposite seasons at the same time; Australians cel- been cool too long. ebrate Midsummer – with the light greens, and yellows, while the U.S is celebrating Yule - with the dark greens, and gold.

Some of the people living in the southern hemisphere try to keep the same schedule as the northern hemi- sphere celebrants. However, wouldn’t the correct view be that this schedule should be changed to suit nature? We are re-enacting a cosmic cycle, with each phase corresponding to the Sabbats. Each of these stages is closely related to the astronomical position of the sun at that moment but, as we all know, the seasons (and solstices and equinoxes) fall opposition- al in each hemisphere. For example, when it is winter - I tend to use in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in the south- Quiet Bear ern, and vice-versa. candles where the color If we’re trying to attune to nature, we can’t celebrate matches the intention of the the ‘Death of the God’ and last harvest in the middle of spell I’m doing. Spring. Nor can we celebrate ‘His’ birth at the moment of the sun’s highest peak. If we did that we would be guiding ourselves merely by man-made dates on the t calendar, originally developed in the Northern Hemi- sphere and not by the cycles of nature itself. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 29 YULE 2007 Another 78 Cards?! By Jymi X/0 When I received my first deck of Tarot cards, I got a book to go with it (E.A. Waite’s Pictorial Key to the Tarot, for the record). The book provided a paragraph-or-so description of the meaning for each card. Not terribly in-depth, but enough to get one started. At the end of each paragraph, there was, almost as an afterthought, a “Reversed” meaning consisting of three or four italicized words, with mostly bleak implications. My impres- sion as a young beginner was that a reversed card was really just kind of a nuisance, like a rude relative showing up for dinner uninvited, and we’d rather it didn’t happen, please.

I learned that some Tarot readers just don’t read cards in the reversed position. I quickly joined that camp, thinking that I had enough to worry about with memorizing 78 cards in their upright positions, never mind reversed. I’ve been reading that way for years, but now, I think I’m ready to start exploring the “other” Tarot deck.

Professor Grey Panther teaches an excellent Tarot course here at Grey School. One of her classes, “Tarot 501: Tarot Reversals,” deals entirely with the rich tapestry of meanings one can glean from those pesky up- side-down cards.

Reversals do tend to have negative connotations. However, I’ve learned that they aren’t necessarily the bland morosities grudgingly described by some of the Tarot guides. A reversed card has many possible indications, depending on the reader, the spread and the card’s position. It can sim- From the Waite Tarot Deck, ply show the opposite of its upright meaning. It can indicate a blockage illustrated by of some sort involving the energy and conditions described by the card. Pamela Coleman Smith Delays, hidden agendas, imbalances: a reversed card can add volumes of meaning to the cards around it and the entire spread.

As an example, let’s say that the Four of Wands turns up reversed. I usu- ally read this card as an indication that the querant is in a pleasant pattern in which projects and ideas are moving along pretty easily. If it turned up reversed, it could mean that nothing is coming easy, or that the ease with which things are moving is causing a problem (perhaps complacency or stagnation?). Maybe things are too easy, and the querant is due for a Karmic over-correction in order to balance the energy. Not good, but good to know!

Professor Grey Panther recommends The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary Greer. It’s on my list, as is the Professor’s class. I’ve had my Tarot deck for twenty years now, and I’m looking forward to finally seeing the other half of it.

Raistlin Loreseeker use in magic, and I incorporate - I like to awrite lot of intentions writing in on my pieces spells. of Forpaper these to little slips of paper, I often use different colored inks depending on the intention (blue for healing, red for will power or action, black for any thing definite, and green-my favorite color-for anything personal or that I cannot think of another color to use for. I also like to use green - t for my magical altar, and some of my magical tools. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 30 YULE 2007 due to their own frustrations. Courtesy I feel for those who are in the stores and have to deal Xyaida, Order of the Dancing Flames with the hostile emotions that come during this time of year. So many think the Holiday Season is ‘Great’ and Have you noticed that during the Holiday Season so ‘More Friendly’ and actually are nice year round, but many become just a bit more helpful? More Charities many in the customer service field get a rough go this are looking for donations, people are asked to volunteer time of year. They do their job, and even have more for assisting events, and less fortunate folks get extra responsibilities with the shopping season upon them, help. Yet there are others who are out there working and are there to make our shopping experience more hard who get the brunt of rudeness from many who at comfortable and willing to help. Now not all are great other times would be gentle and kind; cashiers, store at their jobs but most in this field try their best to be associates, and even other customers at stores! ‘people’ people.

I don’t understand how a person can donate money on The next time you are out there shopping for the their way out the door to the person ringing the bell Holidays just say a kind word to the store associates for the Salvation Army, donate a toy for Toys for Tots, for their efforts. We all know that when you get told and be the one who is there with a smile on their face someone is actually grateful for what you do, it really when helping their favorite cause yet when a strangers helps not only the person being told but also yourself bumps into them while shopping, because the crowd for sharing that moment of appreciation. Plus it could is so thick, they curse at them with such venomous really help them to be able to bare those others who intent or verbally attack the person cashing them out really can ride their last nerves and do it with a smile!

The Color of Sound By LeopardDancer NicholasoftheCross in no particular order: - Red, I have Green, 4 favorites Blue, Gunmetal grey of grumblings and growling, And Purple. I find that Red is my “action” color= aggression. Green is the color of goldenrod haze of crickets chirruping, my birthstone: Emerald. Blue and purple sable patter of striking sleet, are just appealing to me; I don’t have any pastel pink of a baby’s coo. particular reason why. Obsidian blades of buzzing bees, dove-grey of gentle rainfall, ruby thud of heart’s blood, serpentine chitter of cicada song.

Piercing yelps of burnt orange, smooth apricot of pigeons at rest, ivory thrum of a purring cat, dusky lilac of baying wolves. - My favorite color is Emerald- Raistlin Loreseeker Thumping bolts of cobalt blue, Green, especially when it is the actual stone, be humming static of aquamarine, cause it is semi-translucent and a very deep color. - amethyst murmur of technology’s power, In fact, I like just about any very pure or deep color- copper jots of a ticking clock. (dark blues or reds; gold, black, silver, etc.) but em erald green, and green in general, is my absolute fa Absinthe rustle of deep forest, vorite. I do not really know why, but I just feel very cranberry skirling of the hunter on high, comfortable with the color, and I am always pleased cocoa rumble of yawning earth, with it (I also am extraordinarily interested in plants, celadon burr of rolling waves. so green is certainly a color that seems to fit me).

Set free your expectations, be unbound by modern convention. Open your heart, your mind, your soul. Behold all the myriad hues within the aural rainbow. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 31 YULE 2007 ral material is an ancient tradition that still flourishes today. I enjoy crafting a set of Runes from some of the more traditional materials such as wood, stones and crystals. Recently I have found great joy in using the Ancient polymer clays of today. One can mix as many colors as one needs. If I want an infusion of love I could use pink, white and silver. I can craft a set with the 5 col- ors of air, earth, fire, water and spirit for ceremonial use. I take a small amount of each color I wish to in- corporate and roll them out into thin rods, then gently Runes plait the different color clay rods into a loose braid. Once your clay is braided gently roll completed braid until all the colors are snugged together. We do not want to mix the clay for a new color, we want to see all those lovely colors clearly when we cut even amounts of twenty four pieces. Press each cut piece gently with today your thumb, then carve a Rune into the still soft clay. Heat for 15 to 25 minutes, then allow clay to dry for

about 20 minutes and your ready to paint the carved Runes with your chosen color. I was so taken with this By Areeya method, that I always keep these particular sets on A part of my everyday practice on the path of wizardry my person. is the Runemal. Much of my early learning material had a heavy emphasis on basic symbolic meaning with in- New techniques with an ancient art form can be fun tuitive personal perception. Along with the importance as well as educational. So have fun while you learn of understanding the Northern Archetypes to deepen Ancient Runes today, and happy creative magick to ones understanding of the Futhark, casting, reading or one and to all on the adventurous road of wizardry singing the Runes, can and usually does have a combi- and witchcraft. nation of several components, both verbal and visual. I find singing the Runes in specific colors most effec- tive in my rituals. When singing the Runes together with Yogic breathing I experience a vibration so strong that it opens a door of intention for me that greatly enhances my working.

Now lets take it a step further, shall we? I could add color to enhance my intention. Were I to sing a charm of intention to balance and support emotional control, I would visual- ize in ultramarine blue and violet to soothe and balance then support that vibration with an underlying layer of emerald. Incorporation of color with vocal vibration continu- ally seems to lead to sensory im- mersion in my rituals and charms. Using the blue and violet in this particular balancing ritual, infused a crispness of smell, a cooling touch that sustains amidst the heat of the working, as the taste and feel of cool water kept my song fluid and conscious.

The most touching and effective work- ings came from combining as many senses as possible, and so creating your own set of Runes can be another great way to deepen your connection with the raw energy that lay in wait amidst the Futhark. Crafting ones Runes by hand from natu- Areeya WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 32 YULE 2007 Light and Colors: Pigments of Your Imagination By Jymi X/0 This issue of WGM is pretty colorful. How does color Our eyes, of course, are designed to receive the fre- work? Why are some things red, others blue, and oth- quencies of energy that we call visible light. Red is a ers that weird shade of brownish-orange found only in lower frequency; blue and purple are higher. That’s cat food and wallpaper designs from the 1970s? why a rainbow always has the same colors in the same order -- the water vapor sorts the sunlight into bands It’s obvious that if there wasn’t light, you wouldn’t be of ascending frequencies. It’s a giant prism! The green able to see color...but many people don’t realize that band lies between its yellow and blue constituents, color is light. and orange is between yellow and red. Purple (violet) is the highest “note” of color on a rainbow, just after The Electromagnetic Spectrum displays all the various the blue band, and we know that purple is a mix of red types of electromagnetic energy. Some energy takes and blue. We can deduce that though we can’t see the the form of radio waves, some of visible light, some of next “octave,” it must begin with a frequency that has X-rays...it all depends on the frequency: how fast the something in common with the red that we can see. wave is traveling. Remember those energy-releasing electrons? That Light waves come from atoms. Yep, those little things burst of energy is called a photon. Light waves trav- that matter is made of. Electrons, which are located el by photons crashing into nearby electrons, which in “shells” at various distances from the center of the briefly absorb the energy, then release it again, so atom, have a certain amount of energy. If they lose that it hits more electrons, and the process goes on some of this energy, they drop down to a lower shell. until the wave hits something that can absorb or re- How far they drop depends on where they were to be- flect the energy. The textures of the objects around gin with and how much energy they lose. This would you will absorb some of the energy of the wave, and be a great lead-in to quantum physics...but I’m not this changes the frequency of that energy that gets going there today. Just hold onto those electrons for a reflected. A green leaf absorbs most of the frequencies couple of paragraphs. in the white light of the sun, but the chemical proper- ties of its pigment are such that it reflects frequencies The physical receptors in our bodies are designed to of 495–570 nanometers. These reflected waves hit the “tune in” to specific frequency ranges. Sound waves receptors in our eyes, which measure the frequency are slower than light waves, so sound has a lower fre- and send the results to our brain, which then recog- quency than light. But -- if you had super-hearing, nizes the “green” part of the spectrum. you could “hear” colors. If you had super-eyesight, you could “see” sounds. And just like there are seven It just so happens that 495-570 nanometers is one notes in a musical octave (the eighth being a return to possible distance between one electron shell and an- the first at a higher frequency), there are seven colors other...light is a very strange and magical substance, in the visual “octave.” but it sure won’t fit into the WGM word-count limit. I hope to see you in the new Physics classes in the Grey School Alchemy department!

Photo by Jymi X/0 WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 33 YULE 2007 The Traditional Colors of Yule By: FrogsDancing

Ask anyone to name the colors of this season and what answer do you think you will get?

Red certainly comes to mind. Red is the color often equated with passion, love, energy, en- thusiasm and courage. Red is also associated with rebirth: the female’s menstrual blood and animal life. Some believe that the red of this season represents the blood that Jesus spilled to re- deem the sins of man. Red is also thought to symbolize the blood of birth at this time of the year, as many Suns/sons are born.

Green is another popular color for this time of the year. Green is often equated with eternal life and fertility. Green is frequently associated with prosperity, luck, and health. Many believe green represents the fertility of plant life in the coming spring season.

White is a color that comes to my mind. White is the color of the goddesses, peace, snow, purity, longevity and the stars above. How about silver and gold? Silver is often a color of the goddesses; and gold is representative of the newborn Suns/sons and the fires that honor them. What are your favorite colors of this season?

Works Cited:

“A Pagan Yule” http://uufnorthiowa.org/Special_Projects/paganyule2002/paganyule.htm Accessed 25 November 2007

- “Pagan Origins of Modern Holiday Traditions” - My all time fa http://www.overopinionated.com/holidayorigins.htm Janicajayne Accessed 25 November 2007 vorite color is blue, any shade of blue. It’s my calming color and Isis Books Pagan Celtic Article: “The Spirits and Ghosts of Yule” - http://www.isibooks.com/ghosts-of-yule.asp I feel more comfortable when I - Accessed 6 November 2007 wear it. Maybe because it coun terbalances my fire nature. How Wheel of the Year: Sabbats: Yule http://home.earthlink.net/~wilhelmina_d/bos/wheel_sabbaats_yule.html ever, lately I’ve been drawn to Accessed 25 November 2007 orange. Maybe because I need a little more sun or fire in my life. Yule Sabat http://www.nobleknights.com/~eagle1/yule01.htm Or maybe a little more action and Accessed 25 November 2007 a little less thought. Orange is an action color to me. Yule http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yule Accessed 6 November 2007 WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 34 YULE 2007 A WGM Staff Cookbook This “cookbook” is a gift from the WGM staff to you! Read on, and enjoy some of our favorite recipes. A Christmas Morning Special: My Great Grandma Ethel’s Pancakes -- by Xyaida

Ingredients: 2 C. flour ¾ tsp. salt 6 tsp. baking powder 1 T. sugar 2 eggs 2 C. milk 2 T. shortening - melted (though Mom uses oil)

Blend together all ingredients and pour out desired sized pancakes on a preheated pan. Flip once the bottom is golden brown. They are done once they are cooked through. Filipino Chicken Salad -- by Belenus’ Wife

Ingredients: 1 large pkg of split breasts (with skin and bones) Mayonnaise 1 small onion diced finely ½ C. sweet pickle relish Pepper to taste Garlic powder to taste (usually 1 or 2 shakes) 3 c. diced celery

Boil chicken gently for at least 45 minutes. Remove chicken and take off bones and skin. Reserve stock for homemade chicken soup. Chop chicken. Assemble all ingredients after the chicken has cooled. Mix well and chill overnight. Garnish with paprika and hard boiled eggs. Serve with assorted crackers.

Pear Salad -- by Frogsdancing

This is a bit lighter than most of the heavy things served at this time of the year. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 2 cans of pears 2 tablespoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional) 1 (3-ounce) package lime ( or the flavor/color of your choice) gelatin 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 8 ounces non-dairy whipped topping (Cool Whip) or 1 cup whipping cream, whipped

In a small saucepan, heat the pears, sugar and salt to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin until dissolved. Blend in cream cheese. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until partially set. Fold in whipped cream or topping. Pour into mold or dish. Chill until firm. Serves 6 to 8. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 35 YULE 2007

Carrots and Raisins (Carottes aux raisins) -- by Silverheron

This is a festive hot vegetable recipe that will brighten any holiday table. It’s originally from French Vegetarian Cooking, by Paola Gavin

Ingredients: 1 pound carrots 2 tbsp. butter 2 tsp. flour ½ cup hot water 2 T. raisins Salt Freshly ground black pepper

Scrub the carrots and trim the ends. Cut into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Heat the butter in a saucepan and add the carrots. Cover and cook gently for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and starting to turn golden. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute without browning. Add the raisins and the hot water and simmer, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and the raisins are tender. Serves 4.

Florentine Casserole -- by Belenus’ Mom

This is an excellent potluck dish. Serves at least 6, if they are not teenagers!

Ingredients: 6 oz. noodles (bows or butterflies), cooked until they are barely tender, according to directions 2-3 c. spaghetti sauce 1 lb. ground beef, browned and crumbled into sauce 1 10-oz. pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained 1 C. sour cream ½ C. parmesan cheese

Mix the sauce with noodles. Cool it, then layer noodles, spinach, sour cream, cheese and repeat. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. If you double the recipe or make ahead and keep in the refrigerator before cooking, plan on more than 30 minutes to cook.

Broiled Lamb Chops -- by Kore-Rhi

I have only one real recipe I personally like to make about this time of year.

Ingredients: 2-6 lamb chops (2 per person) Salt and pepper to taste

Set the oven to ‘broil’, make sure to position the oven racks so that the broiler pan is 8-10” below the broiler element before turning it on. Make sure the lamb chops are thawed out and season both sides with a little salt and pepper to taste. Place on a broiler pan and broil for 10 minutes, then turn them over for another 10 min. They should be completely done—which for lamb chops can mean that you leave a little pink in the middle or cook them until the pink is gone—your preference. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 36 YULE 2007 Homemade Vegetable Soup -- by Janicajayne

Ingredients: Half a head of cabbage, chopped 6-7 medium potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces A bag of medium sized carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces Small bag of frozen corn Small bag of frozen peas 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped 1 orange bell pepper, chopped 3 beef bouillon cubes Garlic salt Season salt Pepper A really big pot

Throw vegetables into a large soup pot. Add enough water to cover. Drop in the bouillon cubes and add spices to suit. Simmer over low heat until all of the vegetables are cooked through. Check often and stir every 15 minutes or so, adding more water as needed.

Notes: Customize by adding other vegetables of choice. Note of warning: Use green cabbage if you want it to look like normal soup. If you use purple cabbage, it will turn everything purple, which is a little fun when you Areeya want something different.

Maple Roasted Chicken and Root Veggies -- by Moonwriter

Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, washed and patted dry ¼ C. pure maple syrup Season salt, pepper, and other spices as desired An assortment of root veggies (and trust me: even if you don’t know or don’t think you like some of these, they all become AMAZ- ING in this recipe!): potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, carrots, beets, fennel, etc. Virtually any veggie that grows underground

Use a 13 x 9 pan. Grease it very lightly with oil or shortening, or spray with PAM. Peel the veggies. Cut them into ping-pong ball-sized chunks and arrange in the 13 x 9 pan in a single layer. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Make sure to remove any paper container of giblets from the cavity. Set the chicken on top of the veggies. Now, use a pastry brush (or your fingers) to drizzle the maple syrup over the chicken, try to coat the whole thing evenly. Season the chicken with season salt, pepper, etc. Stick it in a 325 oven for 1½ hours. After about half an hour, you might want to use a spoon to baste it with pan drippings or a bit of extra maple syrup. Serve the chicken and vegetables drizzled with the pan juice.

This is an amazing thing! The veggies cook in the syrup and chicken drippings; the syrup caramelizes and gets all complex and doesn’t taste sweet at all. Amazing food. Makes amazing left-over chicken salad, too. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 37 YULE 2007 D D

Enough Chicken Soup To Feed An Army Of Zombies -- by Jymi X/0, the Reluctant Chef who is Also Paranoid about Salmonella

I don’t mind cooking, but I don’t know much about it, and I don’t like having to do it all the time. When I do get involved in a kitchen project, I tend to make vats of food so I can freeze it for later. A few winters ago, I figured out how to make a delicious, simple chicken soup. I never measure anything when I make stuff up, so bear with me...

Put 2 large or 3 small chicken breasts in a baking pan. Season to taste, and bake. (For those who don’t know how to cook chicken -- ‘cause I didn’t until I was about 30 years old -- set the oven for 350 degrees, and leave them in for about 30-40 minutes. To check, cut into the thickest part of the meat, down by the bone. If it’s still pink AT ALL, put ‘em back in. Chicken’s not done unless the meat is all white.)

Wash anything that touched the raw chicken with soap and hot water. Take the packaging to the outside dumpster immediately and then spray the countertop with disinfectant.

While the chicken is baking...

In an enormous stock pot, combine: 2 large cans of chicken broth stock (not the soup-can sized ones, but the ones that are a liter’s-worth or so) Maybe 1 regular-sized can of vegetable broth, if you have some around 1 lovely giant white or yellow onion, chopped into bite-sized chunks 1 bunch of celery, chopped (3 or 4 large handfuls) 1 small bag of baby carrots, chopped (3 or 4 large handfuls) Spices: liberal shakes of whatever you’ve got in the cupboard that’s good with chicken. I like parsley, basil, tarragon, and sage. (I think...was that basil I put in last time? Well, smell it, and imagine the smell with chicken. If that seems good, throw it in.)

Let this concoction simmer. Stir now and then to remind the vegetables that they can’t just sit at the bottom of the pan. When the chicken is done, tear it apart with your hands into bite-size strips and chunks. Careful, it’s hot! You might want to get a couple of dishes out for this: one for the meat, and one for the scraps. Set the chicken meat aside and take the scraps outside to the dumpster along with all the empty cans and leftover vegetable pieces. They’ll start to smell if you leave them in the house, and the cat will want to get into the garbage. The broth is ready when the carrots start to soften up. (Actually, I guess it depends on how you like your carrots.) Toss the chicken meat in there, and let it simmer some more. Beat three eggs in a dish. Turn off the burner. As the soup settles down, SLOWLY pour the eggs into the pan, while stirring gently. The eggs will cook immediately in the hot liquid. They give the soup a nice color and texture.

You can add noodles or rice if you like, but I like mine with just oyster crackers and a pea- nut butter sandwich. Yum! (And it freezes well, so there’s plenty of yum for later, too!) WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 38 YULE 2007 Schinkli im Brotteig (Smoked ham in Bread crust) -- by Eilwen (Switzerland)

A Swiss recipe normally used in winter. It’s not really Yule-specific, but quite suitable for an informal dinner with friends around Christmas time. A good complement would be green salad (or lambs tongue salad).

I can’t say much about tradition, only that I remember my grandma made it once for Christmas when we did it in her house, and I loved it. The love has stayed, as has my memory and love for my grandmother-with-the-spirits.

Ingredients: 500 to 750 grams white flour (adjust according to ham size) 20 to 25 grams yeast (fresh) or dried yeast (according to amount of flour used) 10 to 15 grams salt Water (3-5 dl) One smoked boneless ham, uncooked, about 1 to 1.5 kg.

Make dough with the flour, yeast, salt and water. Fresh yeast can be dissolved in the water first (lukewarm water is fine). Knead dough for 5 to 10 minutes. Put it in a bowl, cover with a damp towel and let rise for 2 hours. Unpack the ham, cut the net away, and simmer in a kettle of water for 20 to 30 minutes. Then turn the stove off and let the ham cool in the water until the dough is ready. Take the ham out of the water and dry it carefully. Make a ball out of the dough. Roll it – best is a sort of “cross form“ that looks like a 4-leafed clover. Place the ham in the middle and cover it up with the “clover leaves.” Close the seams by putting a few drops of water like “glue,” working the seams closed. When the bread bakes, it rises and tends to break in those places, so this needs care. The ham-package goes in the oven at 200 degrees C. Reduce heat to 180 or even 160 after about half an hour – better to have it in longer than have the bread burnt and the ham still raw inside. When done, a meat thermometer inserted in the ham’s center should read 70 degrees C. Usual cooking time is 1.5 to 2 hours. Feeds 6 to 10 people.

Rumpleminze pie -- by Moonwriter

This is a variation on the traditional “Grasshopper Pie.” Its soft pink color and light flavor make is a gorgeous and wonderful additional to your holiday feast—kind of like munching on a frozen after-dinner mint!

Ingredients: Thin chocolate wafer cookies, crushed into fine crumbs (1 1/4 C. of crumbs) Scant 5 T. butter, melted 30 large, fresh marshmallows 2/3 C. milk 1 oz. each crème de cacao (chocolate liqueur) and Rumpleminze (peppermint schnapps/liqueur) 1 C. heavy cream, unwhipped Optional: red food coloring Optional garnishes: crushed peppermints, fresh mint leaves, chocolate curls, etc.

Combine crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom and sides of a pie plate. Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes. Cool completely. In a double boiler, heat milk. Add marshmallows and stir until dissolved and smooth. Cool to room tempera- ture. When marshmallow mixture is cool, whip cream. Gently fold the crème de cacao, Rumpleminze, and whipped cream into the marshmallow mixture. If desired, add 1-2 drops of food coloring at this time; 1 drop makes a very soft-looking pale pink pie. Pile the mixture into the cooled pie shell. Cover and freeze for 10-12 hours, or overnight. To serve, remove from freezer for about 10 minutes (for easier slicing). Garnish as desired, slice, and serve while still frozen. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 39 YULE 2007 Peanut Butter Blossoms -- by Artemis Gryphon SnowHawk

These are only made during the Yuletide season. This is Grama’s recipe, that’s come through I’m not sure how many generations to this point, but everyone stands in line waiting for the timer to go off. I had asked Grama for a simple peanut butter cookie recipe because I remembered her making them for me when I was very little. Once she sent it to me, I found that it was better saved for once a year, and that was the Yule season. (special cookie, special time of year)

Ingredients: ½ C. shortening 1 egg ½ C. white sugar ½ C. peanut butter (either crunchy or smooth - both work really well) ½ C. brown sugar 1 ¼ C. sifted flour ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. baking soda 1 bag Hershey’s Kisses

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit Blend together shortening, sugars, salt and egg. Add peanut butter. Stir in flour, sifted with soda. Form the dough into balls, the size of a walnut, and place on flat pan. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place a Hershey’s Kiss into the middle of the ball, pressing slightly.

Makes about 2 ½ dozen, depending on the size of the ball.

Moonwriter’s Molasses Crisps -- by Moonwriter

The neat thing about these is that you stir them up in a saucepan with a wooden spoon. No beaters/mixer, nothing else. They have to chill for at least 2-3 hours, so start early. This makes a large recipe and can easily be halved. The cookies come out round with a cracked, sugared top.

Ingredients: 1 ½ C. butter (may be part margarine) 4 C. flour 4 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger 2 ½ C. sugar ½ C. dark molasses 2 eggs

In a large (4-6 qt) saucepan, melt the butter/margarine over low heat. Cool to room temperature (butter should still be liquid). Stir in 2 C. sugar (reserve the other 1/2 C.), molasses, and eggs and beat well with a wooden spoon. Stir in soda, salt, spices, and then the flour 1 C. at a time. Beating smooth after each addition. Cover and chill at least 3 hours (chill overnight if desired). Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll balls in reserved 1/2 C. sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes, until dark golden.

NOTE: Letting the cookies cook just until “set” yields a softer cookie, while cooking a bit longer will make them crispier. But beware-- with the sugar and molasses, they will scorch easily. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 40 YULE 2007

Gritibänze (little bread men) -- by Eilwen

Those are traditional for Christmas and advent season for Switzerland. Many companies put one of them on the desk of their workers on December 6, Sankt Nikolaus, or in Swiss German Samichlaus.

Santa Clause comes on Dec. 6 in Switzerland, wandering in the snow during the night from the Black Forest in Southern Germany, with a donkey and a helper clad in black called Schmutzli. Our tradition is that on this night, there are a lot of Samichlaus impersonators walking around, ringing families doorbells, bringing snacks (nuts, tangerines, oranges, apples, chocolate and other sweets) and asking the kids whether they have been good that year. The story goes that if a kid was not nice, the Samichlaus puts him/her in his big bag where the snacks are carried in and takes them with him back into the black forest. My aunt as a kid has been car- ried away once! I personally had big fear of the Samichlaus, and always hid behind the door when it rang when I was little. I loved the sweets though, and the little bread men.

We eat them for breakfast, or in the morning / afternoon tea break.

Ingredients: 500 grams white flour 50 grams butter About 1 tsp. salt (less if you want sweeter bread) About 2-3 T. sugar 3 dl milk 20 grams fresh yeast (or dried equivalent) Raisins, nuts etc. as desired 1egg yolk, beaten smooth and mixed with ¼ tsp. water

Melt the butter and set aside. Mix salt, sugar, dried yeast, and flour in a bowl. If you use fresh yeast, dissolve it in the milk. Pour the butter into the mixture. Add nearly all the milk. If the dough is too dry, you can add the rest of the milk later. Mix well and knead 5 to 10 minutes, until dough is silky smooth. Put back in the bowl, cover with a wet towel, and let it rise and rest for about 2 hours. When the dough is ready, form little men out of the dough. Use raisins or hazelnuts for eyes. Make them look funny and happy. Let them sit and rise for 15 to 20 minutes, then paint them with the egg yolk mixture for a nice colour. Bake in the oven at about 200 degrees C for 25-35 minutes. Check one for doneness by knocking on its backside; a hollow sound means they’re done. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 41 YULE 2007 Harris Wine Cellar’s Peanut Butter Pie -- By Moonwriter, via the Harris family

Harris Wine Cellar was a Portland institution for years; it was only a few blocks from my workplace and I’d often walk there for lunch. I fell in love with their peanut butter pie. In the mid-90s, the family sold the shop and moved to Redmond, reopening as a restaurant and wine cellar. My Mom lives in Redmond and soon became a friend and devoted customer. Upon my request, Mom was able to talk them out of their recipe for Peanut Butter Pie. It’s extremely simple to make and brings raves whenever it’s served.

Ingredients: 10 oz. full fat cream cheese (at room temperature) 2/3 C. creamy peanut butter ¾ C. powdered sugar 1/3 C. milk 9” graham cracker crust 1 container Cool Whip* Hershey bar and/or Hershey’s syrup (garnish)

Combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar until blended. Cream until light and fluffy (1-2 minutes). Slowly add milk, beating to a smooth consistency. Spoon into piecrust and top with the entire container of Cool Whip. Freeze to firm up. To serve: cut into wedges and garnish with chocolate shavings (use a potato peeler to shave the Hershey bar) and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Serves 8 generously. The pie may be served frozen or simply chilled. Both are delectable!

* This could be made with heavy cream instead of Cool Whip. If so, I’d stabilize the cream with some gelatin (see a cookbook for instructions on doing this).

Caramels -- by Sapphire Soleil

I’m no cook, so I never think about it! But here’s a good one.

Ingredients: 1 C. brown sugar 2 C. white sugar 1 C. butter 1 C. light corn syrup 1 C. heavy cream 1 C. whole milk 1-2 tsp. vanilla Extra butter (for pan) Areeya Cook it all on medium heat until it hits softball stage—about 234 degrees F, depending on elevation. Take off heat add some vanilla…how much? Glug, glug usually works! About two teaspoons. Pour into 13 x 9” pre-buttered pan and let set up. Cut into bite-sized pieces and wrap with wax paper. Yummy! WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 42 YULE 2007

Holiday Peppermint Cookies -- by Spirit of Youth

Ingredients: 1 C. butter, softened ¾ C. sugar 1 egg 3 C. all purpose flour ¼ tsp. salt ½ C. crushed candy canes or peppermint candies 5 tsp. warm water ¾ C. confectioners sugar Additional crushed candy (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In medium bowl, beat butter and sugar un- til light and creamy. Add egg and beat until blended. Stir in flour and salt, then the crushed can- dy. Add red food coloring to dough if desired. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake cookies 8 to 10 minutes until firm. Cool on sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack to finish cooling. Mix water and confectioner’s sugar together to form icing. Dip top of each cooled cook- ie in icing (sprinkle with additional crushed candy, if desired) and allow to dry. Yields approximately 48 cookies.

Southern Pecan Pie -- by Spirit of Youth

Ingredients: 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 C. granulated sugar 1 C. light corn syrup 3 T. butter Areeya 1 tsp. vanilla 1 C. broken pecans 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 10-12 pecan halves (or more)

Mix together eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and broken pecans. Pour filling into prepared pie shell. Arrange pecan halves decoratively around the inside edge. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Bake 40 minutes longer or until the center is firm. Cool before serving. WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 43 YULE 2007

Newgrange Sunrise By LeopardDancer

The watchers wait, patient in the early morn. Winter cold seeps through fur and leather. Icy wind whistles through the narrow passage, singing a playful herald to the new day.

Winter cold seeps through fur and leather, breath puffing in a frosty fog. Soft chanting heralds the new day and the beginning of a new season.

Breath puffs in a frosty fog as the seekers raise their voices, welcoming the coming of a new season. Death of winter, birth of spring.

The seekers sing on, watching as sunlight glides along the corridor. Start of spring, end of winter, a vibrant song of life and death.

Sunlight marches slowly up the passage, bursting into full radiance as the song reaches its peak. A vibrant song of life and death, stirring memories of past and future.

Bel’s Disc bursts into full radiance, bathing the singers in a golden glow, stirring memories of past and future in timeless ceremony.

Bathed in a golden glow, the corridor shimmers in the crisp, wintry air. Timeless ritual, now as always before and always to be. The watchers disperse, content in early morn.

Photo by Jymi X/0 We hope you’ve enjoyed this colorful perspective on the Solstice! Whispering Grey Matters is published quarterly by the students and faculty of the Grey School of Wizardry. We’d love to hear from you -- contributions are always welcome, and we’re ever on the lookout for new additions to the Newsroom! Please visit the NewsStand in the Grey School Forum for the latest polls and WGM Staff opportunities. Happy Holidays, wherever you are!

WHISPERING GREY MATTERS 44 YULE 2007