Call for help by Roberta Stewart

Sgt. Patrick & Roberta Stewart at their Handfasting

Roberta Stewart needs help with VA pentacle case

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY: I was wondering if all of you could assist me?? I will be retaining counsel by Monday and then the press release will go out. I am asking if everyone could please provide me with copies of any letters of response from the VA, Congressman and Congresswomen, Senators, Governors. etc.

I would also like to know of any communication and the names of people who you have spoken to any and all public officials regarding the quest. This is very important as I am working other avenues to get the pentacle approved. So all your information would be greatly appreciated. You can email Liberty@circlesanctuary.orgwith any letters or Fax the letter to Circle Sanctuary at 608-924-5961.

Also you can email names of any public official you have spoken to regarding the quest over the last nine years. You can also email me with the information as I would like to keep track of it as well as Lady Liberty.
PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER AND I NEED THE INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Again I thank you all for the efforts and support in this matter.
Many Blessings.
Roberta Stewart

Why you Should Become a Pagan Activist

• Why You Should Become a Pagan Activist

-Because you can (and should) help co-creating our world

-Because Pagans have been misunderstood for too long and it is time to clarify things once and for all. Paganism has been overly mystified over the years and when things finally seem to begin getting brighter, another mischievous issue rises. You owe it to yourself and to everyone who has ever suffered from someone else’s ignorance. You owe it to your children, if you mean to raise educated children so they can chose their religion in an educated way.

• - Because tomorrow, you might be the one to need help and support. We give and we take.
• - Because Mother Earth needs you and as a Pagan, you feel connected with Earth’s energies and have learned that without them you would be severed from one of the most significant tenets of your beliefs. Your Mother is worth fighting for.
• - Because as a Pagan, you are an ecological and active human being, well aware of your responsibilities .It is one of the major Pagan beliefs that we get what we give; with that belief we learn that we can act in our surroundings and cause great impact in the outer world; with this power great responsibility arises.
• - Because if you will not do it, none else will.
• - Because there can never be enough of us. The time is now…- Because Pagans are peaceful but also strong and active; we won’t let our future in no one’s hands
• - Because we are warriors and there is no fairer fight than fighting for your rights.
  
  
  
  
  
  By Vera Carvalho. All rights reserved.
  
  

How to Write Powerful Letters to Government Leaders

The Pagan Institute has developed a program named Write On!.
In this program they incite Pagan activist form the USA to use their freedom of speech and write letters to the Media and the Government in order to make an active voice in the USA politics.

As they say it: "Use your own Magical power as a voter and a citizen of the United States of America by writing to your elected officials. "

In this page you will find information on how to write powerful letters to the members of the government and to the media. You will also find information on how to contact the white house and a list of the addresses for all senators of all American states as well as a list of the UN ambassadors. If you know anyone who would be interested in this list, please pass it on.

Lady Liberty League

One of the most powerful Pagan activism resources is the Lady Liberty League. Founded and directed by Selena Fox, it exists as a part of the Circle Sanctuary Network. Among other activities they are interested in promoting news about religious freedom cases, including legal ones. They publish such cases both on and off-line, thru their website and their paper magazine, the Circle Magazine.

They offer legal and moral assistance and they have been highly involved in the latest mainstream Pagan legal fight, relating to the former US army veteran whose wife was forbidden to engrave a Pentacle in his memorial plaque.You can and should support his cause and help Lady Liberty League in this fight by visiting the resources they have put together for that purpose.

CNN broadcasts the Pentacle Quest by Veteran´s Widow

The media has been offering a great amount of coverage to this issue, especially to the fact that the US military does not allow for Wiccan and Pagan Symbols in Military Graves.

The Government allows religious symbols such as the Christians Cross the Jewish Star of David and the Islamic Crescent, but not the Pentagrams or any other Pagan Symbols.
This is an old debate in which Pagan Activist from all over the world have been involved with.
The famous phrase of the USA president Jorge W. Bush in June 1999 to the ABCNews: "I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision,” reveals the spirit of the government .

Recently, with the case of Roberta Stewart, a widow of a Pagan soldier killed in combat, who is fighting to have a Pentacle included on her husband’s government-issued memorial plaque, has received a big coverage form the media and has caught the attention of the CNN, who is broadcasting the information all over the world.
I suggest, for more information on this case, that you visit this witchvox article .

Roberta Stewart and Selena Fox walk together in Washington, DC (from CNN's American Morning).

If you want to help Roberta Stewart and other Pagan widows in the same situation and be an active part to help the Pentacle being added to the NCA list, I encourage you to get in contact with Lady Liberty League via email (liberty@circlesanctuary.org) or fax (608 924 5961). They are very proactive and fighting openly in this specific case.

Two new free e-books for download

The following books are offered as a free download by the Goat and Candle Press. Enjoy!



Essentials of Successful Magick: The Truth Revealed
Quill Mastercraft
Foreword by Lon Milo DuQuette!
ISBN 0-9758528-3-3 Available now as a FREE E-BOOK DOWNLOAD!







The Companion Volume to Out of His Time...
Quill’s Own Story and Writings...
Embrace the Lightning: The Life and Insight of a Rogue Mage
ISBN 0-9758528-2-5 Available now as a FREE E-BOOK DOWNLOAD!

Earth Activist Training

f you decide you want to take further steps and become a part of the growing group of Pagan activists, you should visit EAT

"Earth Activist Training blends a full permaculture certification course with Earth-based spirituality, practical political effectiveness, and nature awareness."


With classes taught by the well known Pagan activists StarHawk, Penny Livingstone, Charles Williams and Erik Olsen, they offer Classes in the USA and Europe. They do have a selection process, you should learn all about it at their website.

"EAT includes a rigorous 72-hour permaculture design course—participants receive a certificate on completion."

A Call to Action!

The Sacred Earth Alliance is building and promoting a directory of useful contacts related to Pagan activism and the fight for religious freedom. Their directory contains lawyers, police officers, army members, mainstream media contacts, psychologists and counsellors among others. I encourage you to visit and distribute this list to everyone you know, which may find it useful.

Distribute it to Pagan publishers, to media contacts you might have, groves and covens, organizations, new age stores and other individuals you believe might benefit from this list.

This is a call to unite and help the fight.
Please visit and distribute the list located here
Also if you believe you have useful information to add to this list and/or would like to be listed has an activist please fill in the questionnaire

SUPPORT THE SEA!

You might also want to visit ERA ( Earth Religions Assistance) , I will write more about them in a further article, for now, just add them to your list of awsome resources to visit in order to obtain contacts and Pagan activism information.As they state "Many Earth Religionists (Pagans, Wiccans, Shamans, mystics, etc.) have suffered job, housing, and other discrimination because of their beliefs and practices. Some have lost custody of their children after their beliefs, religion and rituals were misrepresented in court. Others have had suffered police harassment, vandalism, unfair licensing requirements, and other forms of discrimination" and that was why they decided be active members of the community. Contribute!

SUPPORT ERA!

First Ever Woman to be elected Archdruid

Important proclammation, liking with Witchvox.com

"Proclaimed by: DruidEire
Proclaimed from: Kilkenny, Ireland


The First Ever Woman in History is elected Archdruid of Tara.

On Wednesday last, 19th July 2006, Lady Druid Gina McGarry was declared elected by Returning Officer Gabriel Murray of Kilkenny City, Ireland.

So for the first time in the history of Ireland, after a gruelling national election, Gina was officially endorsed and declared Archdruid of Tara.

Gina, from Southern California USA is years living in Ireland. Of Irish parentage/ancestry, She originally came to ireland to train as a Druid.

And now she is elected this week as Archdruid of Tara by all of Ireland's Druids!

This is a first. And this is a great breakthrough for women in what up-to-now has been a male bastion - Irish Druidry.

Gina succeeds Archdruid Michael McGrath, Chief of the Order of Druids in Ireland, as Archdruid of Tara. Archdruid McGrath still remains on at his post as Archdruid of Ireland and Chief of the ODI.

email Archdruid Gina McGarry: brighid9@iolfree.ie

Archdruid McGarth: DruidEire@cablenet.ie"

Making an active voice in the Pagan Community!

I have decided to take this Blog to a new dimension. I have been watching out for Pagan activism sites and I have found that we lack something here. I decided to make a difference and I am welcoming any help I might have. I want to be an active voice in the Pagan Community and so I am sharing with you what I want to make of this project. Here follows my Press Release and I hope to attract like-minded people with it. I will be publishing the first interview the published Pagan author Grey Cat next week. I will also be publishing, from now on, news related to religious freedom and help spread the world and clarify about what Paganism is really about.




Contact: Vera Oak
+351914510206
faeryuniverse@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pagans of the World Unite for Freedom of Speech

Virtual World –July 26, 2006 –WiccaSources Blog incites all Pagans from around the world to unite for freedom of speech. The virtual gathering place counts with the presence of mainstream Pagan writers in direct interview in support for the Pagan Community.

For years suffering the stigmata of a dark and occult religion, Paganism has now a new voice speaking in behalf of religious freedom. Being a gathering place for freethinking individuals the WiccaSources Blog incites all Pagans to unite in this virtual gathering place.
Uniting mainstream authors in direct interview and Pagan artists from all trades, the weblog re-connects Pagans with their kindred spirits in the search for mutual support.

Trying to shed some light in this growingly popular religious belief, the blog will feature author interviews, book reviews, notices and proclamations of interest to the Pagan community as well as provide a fertile ground to open discussion.

WiccaSources Blog welcomes individuals from every religious background to join and participate the debate; being a proclamation of freedom, this virtual meeting point also aspires to be a source for clarification.

As a peaceful and giving community, the earth based religion followers pretend to instruct the world about their beliefs and proclaim their long-lost right to be considered equals to other religious practitioners.

For more information about this project or interviews with project mentors visit http://wicca-sources.blogspot.com/ or contact Vera Oak to the following email faeryuniverse@yahoo.com


The WiccaSources Blog is a sister project to The Pagan Review. Its founders and editors work in the publishing medium and have a personal interest in Pagan oriented publications. Their work for the past five years has been to support Pagan artists and give their work more visibility.

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Jung´s Personality Test

I have always admired Jung and his work, him being a studend of Gnose and all, I really love his work . I recently Stumbled upon one of his personality tests on the Internet and decided to take it. It was quite accurate; it turns out that I have a "Journalist Type" personality. Go on, take the test, try it yourself:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

The Difficult Life of an Incense Maker

This morning I am really mad! I just found out this awesome new incense recipe and was ready to roll a new batch of incense. I was only waiting for the sandalwood to arrive – I mail order it from the U.K. most of the time- and when it finally arrived, I started preparing my working table, measured the aromatics, the binder, the liquid; everything was just perfect. So…I added the base (the red sandalwood was the chosen base for this recipe) and let the sticks dry. I have waited four days for the incense to dry and this mourning I got up all excited to light my new incense sticks.

To my surprise, the incense smelled like….NOTHING! It turns out the sandalwood is of the poorest quality and it messed out the entire recipe. I am sooo mad, I can’t even write straight. Do you imagine how frustrating it is to spend the all week anxiously waiting for your new incense recipe to dry and the finding out you have just spent some big bucks in the poorest quality sandalwood ever? I should learn not to mail order my incense making supplies but in my country it’s the only possible way to find all the materials I need. I am off to work now and try to forget about this incident. BB.

Herbal Secrets- the Chamomile Flower

With an increasingly demanding society and the lack of sufficient responses from the medical health sector to deal with the “new” diseases- stress, depression- human kind started to turn its attention to the ancient medicine.
For example, who have never asked for a chamomile flower tea in stressful situations?
Well know for it’s relaxing and calming properties, the chamomile flower- also known as matricaria recutita or chamomilla- is a popular natural soothing herb. And this article its all about it.

With the increasing popularity of natural medicine, the health care market has grown to include natural treatments in its remedies lists. All around us we see natural health care products displayed and announced -even in traditional medical pharmacies.
Don’t misunderstand me! I think that is great. I am a great fan of traditional medicine myself, and a good chamomile flower tea is all that I could ask for at the end of a stressful day. As a Wiccan, I have a strong relation with herbs and nature and I would rather opt for something natural than chemical.

But relaxing you is not all the beautiful yellow chamomile plant can do; it is also well known for soothing headaches, a rebel stomach, a sensible skin and, when dried, those flowers also make a gorgeous potpourri.

If you are looking to use the chamomile flower to help you relax, you will find there are many offers in the market to your needs- you will find capsules, essential oils, dried chamomile flower leaves and petals (whole or powdered), ready-made teas, floral waters, pills and even sleeping pillows- those are little gaze pillows filled with the dried chamomile flower.
You can easily find these products in specialty shops and don’t forget to look online- you will be amazed of the quantity and the quality of products available in the Internet. Many online Wiccan stores sell herbal products, that is one place to look at!

For the gardening enthusiasts, the chamomile plant is a very pleasant one to add to your garden- it will ad colour and aroma to your green space and, whenever you feel like a hot chamomile flower tea, you will have it at hand, anytime.
The chamomile flower can be consumed dried or fresh, depending on your specific needs and tastes great both ways. Every Pagan has it in him/her to appreciate outdoors time, if you have the means, you will enjoy the adventure of gardening.

Cosmetic wise, this flower is also known to produce effective moisturising creams and oils, being widely used by this industry.
As far as the laws and regulations go, chamomile flower usage has been approved for internal and external use – especially in bacterial skin infections. There aren’t any known side effects or contraindications, nor is chamomile dangerous to consume during pregnancy. With that said, go enjoy the beauties Mother Nature put in this planet for us to experience bliss and respect. Blessed Be and always remember the Wiccan Rede; it is valid not only when working with humans but also with plants ;)

More Gemstone Info?

I have plenty of articles about gemstones and I am looking for your feeback as to you want me to keep posting the magical properties of gemstones? I will be looking forward to hearing your comments.

Oh, I shall post an original article on chamomile tea in the future, also :)

Wiccan E-Zine asking for submissions!

I saw this post at Witchvox and decided to share with you, I am sure you will want to participate. Come one youg wiccans, this is all about you ;)

If you're between the ages of 13 and 24 we'd love to hear your voice in the next edition of Copper Moon E-zine (www.Copper-Moon.com) . This online magazine has been created for young adult Wiccans, Witches and Pagans. Includes eye-opening Interviews, Articles, Book Reviews and more! Geared towards both male and female practitioners, we are seeking new submissions for the next edition. All submissions must be written by you --- not copied or "borrowed."Specifically, we would like . . . Original Articles: how-to, personal commentary, reflections on Wicca, Witchcraft, or Paganism. Express your opinion on hot topics floating around the Wiccan/Pagan community or share a unique viewpoint.Our next issue is for LughnasadaThe deadline for submissions is July 25th 2006The issue will be published on August 15th!After editing your piece just drop it in the body of an e-mail or as a wordpad attachment and e-mail it to: TWNSubmit@yahoo.com. Remember to include the title of your piece, your craft name (or writing name) and e-mail address so readers may send feedback. You may also include a brief bio if you'd like. Copper Moon e-zine is special because it is written by young adults like you.
We love having your work showcased.
Thanks for considering us
www.Copper-Moon.com
Sincerely, ~ Gwinevere Rain & RedRaven Editors and Owners of Copper Moon

Lughnassad is coming!

Lughnassad, the next big Sabbat is coming. What will do you to honour the Gods in this day? I will write a few toughts on this Sabbat bellow. Enjoy!

Lughnassad (August 1)
One of the Greater Sabbats, also known as Lammas or the Feast of Bread. This holiday marks the time of the first harvest. The sun loses its strength and the nights grow longer. The God is dying, and yet lives on inside the Goddess as her child. The God is now seen in the seed, in the grain, and is remembered and honored with the first loaves of bread.

Pagan Review

I also run this website Pagan Review


We review spiritual books and produce author interviews. We are always looking for submissions and volunteers to help reviewing our books.

The Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede

The Central belief in Wicca, the Wiccan Rede is the oldest of known ethics although it hasn't always been called anything more than common sense. The most common phrasing of The Rede is "An' it harm none, do as you will," Which is often reduced to "Harm none." In Universal Eclectic Wicca we also have an expanded reading of the Rede which is especially helpful when describing it to people who believe in commandments and long lists of rules. It states: "If an action will cause harm, physically, emotionally, or mentally, to another person or one's Self, refrain from doing it. Strive to always be helpful and never willingly cause strife or harm to befall someone. Weigh your actions against each other, would you wish your actions taken against you? Take no action you would not wish to receive."There are several poems also called "The Wiccan Rede" but it is still only the eight little word "An it harm none, do as ye will."

This article is from copyrighted material by KaatrynMacMorgan,CUEW homepage,http://www.cuew.org

What is Wicca

What is Wicca: "What is Wicca?"

Check this out, it will help you understand better what Wicca is all about.

The Magickal Properties of Gemstones- Part Two

The Magickal Properties of Gemstones- Part Two

This information was gathered at my website and you can read the complete article there:
http://www.wiccasources.netfirms.com

Angelite Description: Beautiful Light Blue

Calming, stabilize emotions and ease anxiety and stress. Use for creative work, psychic ability, public speaking, and helping oneself to become more assertive. Reduce anger, aid in self-forgiveness, and gain spiritual protection. Angelite has also been used for working with angels and for sending telepathic messages to people and pets.

Apatite
Description: Neon Teal - Semi Translucent

(Beautiful !) Excellent for all forms of Psychism and Spirituality. Beautifully calming effect. Will facilitate results in magickal workings and help/develop humanitarian goals. Can create a very deep state of meditaion. Perfect representation for the Water element. If one is translucent enough - it may also be used for a unique experience in divination.

Aphrodite
Named for the Goddess, this pink stone is useful in love magick. Helps to open up the heart chakra and allow you to receive love, while at the same time increasing your ability to give love. Useful in magick designed to help draw true love and find your soul mate. Aphrodite is also useful in promoting fidelity and trust in an established relationship.

Aquamarine
Description: Translucent to transparent light sea blue / green

Enhances the utilization of psychic powers and makes the mind more alert. Excellent for cleansing and purifying. Aquamarine can be used in rituals to ensure good health. It soothes and calms emotional problems and promotes peace, happiness, and joy as it halts fear. Stone of the Sea Goddesses, Psychism, Courage.


Aragonite
Excellent for centering, and communicating with higher plains. Exquiste for healing, and can be used on ALL chakra points at once.




Avalonite
A blue-violet stone which is a form of chalcedony. Due to its color, avalonite is useful in calming and soothing, aiding meditation and visualization, and promoting a sense of security for the user. Also useful in aiding psychic awareness and delving into the mythical past and collective consciousness.

Aventurine - green
Description: Green with many silver speckles

This is an excellent good luck stone. It is useful in spells involving money, gambling, and business success. Can calm troubled emotions and speed general healing. This stone increases perception and intelligence while it stimulates creativity. Silver specks enhance the powers of the stone

Aventurine - red
Description: Maroon/purple with silvery speckles

Excellent courage promotion, lends energy to body, draws luck in love.


Aventurine - blue
Description: Blue with some silvery speckles

Reduces negative emotions, purification, peace, when held - reduces pain.


Aventurine - peach/orange
Description: faded Orange/Peach w/ some silvery speckles

Good luck stone, personal power, self worth, attracts success to owner.



Aventurine - silver
Description: Grey/Silver with silvery speckles

Increase to magickal power, emotional, moon Energy, success


Aventurine - black
Description: Black with silvery speckles
Control, power, grounding, Magickal invisibility.


Azurite
A dark blue stone which can heal emotional trauma, confusion, blocks, and negativity. This stone is also useful in working with spirit guides, animal guides, and the Goddess. It is also said to increase psychic healing ability and aid in visualization.

Barite
This interesting stone is peach and black. It is helpful in rituals and spells designed to clear obstacles in one's life path. Using barite helps to conserve energy, and so is helpful for those who have immune problems or who are excessively anxious or stressed. Helps to promote a balanced energy flow in the user.

Beryl
Description: Various colors - usually translucent or cloudy
Psychism, Healing, Love, Energy, anti- gossip. Can help locate lost items - hold in hand and visualize lost item. Often carried to win arguements or debates. Exchanged between lovers. Can help increase purity and cleansing.

Black Onyx
Great for defense against negativity. Can be used to reduce sexual desires. Onyx is an extremely potent protective stone, and is widely known for its ability to protect against psychic attacks and hexes.


as seen on

The Magickal Properties of Gemstones

The Magickal Properties of Gemstones



Agate - general
Description: Red / orange / brown / black with patterns, stripes, and/or banding

Good for general protection and very effective for protecting children. Helps in healing - especially blood disorders, skin and intestines. Increases Strength, restores bodily energy, increases courage, and tends to promote longevity. Removes envious thoughts and spite, while easing stressful situations. Agates, especially banded, are good for meditation. Carried while gardening, this stone increases plants’ fertility and health.

Amazonite
Description: Hot green with grey / white markings

Attracts money and luck. Great for gambling ! Good for increasing concentration, completing projects, expanding emotional expression to promote healing. Turns emotional grief into creativity.

Amber
Description: Usually Golden, but may also be red, creamy, black. Translucent, trasparent, cloudy.

Excellent for use in rituals for enhancing your beauty and attractiveness. Helps to attract love and stimulates happiness and pleasure. Amber is used as both a good luck and protective amulet, and is extremely protective against negative magick which has been directed against you. When placed on the altar, it can increase the effectiveness of your spells. Amber is said to increase strength while relieving or curing health conditions. Amber is also very useful in protecting children.

Amegreen
Description: Pale Purple Amethyst and Pale Green Quartz Together

Very powerful at drawing money - especially in business and/or investment.Wonderful for calming and soothing along with calming fears and reducing stress. Look for this stone to help increase "luck" and can add a little energy to magickal powers.

Amethyst
Description: Translucent purple with white / clear chevron pattern

A must-have in the Magick realm ! Helps to calm fears and reduce stress. Dispels both doubts and negativity while it relieves depression. Promotes good judgement and induces vivid dreams. Amethyst increases mental powers, which makes it incredibly useful in psychism. Also draws pure and true emotional love.


Ametrine
Description: Translucent purple Amethyst and Golden Citrine Together

A powerful and BEAUTIFUL stone ! Removes negativity and can help you reach higher states of meditation more quickly. Excellent for astral travel. Increases magickal powers greatly. Helps to access "higher knowledge". Balances energies (male/female and more) and can create a path toward the "ultimate state of perfection".