Oak Trail Books Celebrates 12 Years

Local Bookstore Celebrates 12 & Welcomes New Coffee ShopPalm Harbor, FL – Oak Trail Books, a metaphysical books and gift shoppe in Historic Downtown Palm Harbor, is celebrating 12 years of business this month. Original owners, Rick & Lesley Klein, continue to grow their vision of a place where patrons can find the information they seek to create better lives. The latest development in the short history of this unique bookstore (housed in a 100+ year-old historic building) is the addition of a new coffee & ice cream shoppe called The Witch’s Brew. This magickally-themed café features locally roasted coffee, all-natural locally-made ice cream (Old Meeting House Ice Cream) and “everything in between, ” including beer and wine. Co-owners Lesley Klein and Denise Karnes brainstormed this fun eclectic coffeehouse themed after Witchy paraphernalia. A “Wall of Best Witches” features famous film and TV witches like Samantha from Bewitched and Harry Potter. “Witchy” gifts like Witch Balls, Kitchen Witches, Witch’s Brew Candles, Brooms, and Flying Monkeys are for sale. Flying Monkeys are stuffed monkeys that when slingshot into a wall make a screaming sound. The space is decorated with floating witch hats and was painted by Co-owner Denise Karnes who transformed it into magical place. At the center of the room, a yellow brick road spirals out with signs that point to The Emerald City and Munchkinland. “There’s even a full moon with a witch silhouette flying across it that doubles as a night light” declares Co-owner Lesley Klein. “The space decorated itself, ” explains Ms. Karnes, “I paint intuitively… the space tells me what it wants… it all came together like “poof”!” “We pulled this together in 8 weeks, so it feels like it happened with a twitching of our noses and poof… The Witch’s Brew is here!" smiles Ms. Klein.“Laughter & good music is what we want to attract at our weekly Open Mic Nights on Thursdays from 7 – 10 pm, ” Klein continues. Live entertainment is featured on an open-air deck under the trees on Friday and Saturday evenings. FREE Wi-Fi Internet Access is also available for laptop users. The menu categories at The Witch’s Brew include: BREWS (coffees & teas) , POTIONS (smoothies, juices & soups) , EATS (salads, “sandwitches” & wraps) , TREATS (ice cream garnished with witch hats & other desserts) and SPIRITS (beer & wine) . Specialty wine drinks are offered with names like “Ruby Slippers”, “Goddess Cosmo” and “Midnight Margarita”. The mission statement of The Witch’s Brew is: To provide a welcoming place where patrons can nourish their bodies with wholesome foods & beverages prepared with good intentions and feed their spirits in a positive energy space where like-minded, positive people love to hang out.The Witch’s Brew and Oak Trail Books are located at 1219 Florida Avenue in Historic Downtown Palm Harbor (Pinellas County) . A 5-night stay in Maui, Hawaii will be given away on Sunday, June 24th as part of the festivities. The winner’s name will be provided at that time. To reach The Witch’s Brew, call 727-483-9210 or see www.thewitchsbrew.com ; to reach Oak Trail Books, call 727-785-1960 or see www.oaktrailbooks.com.# # #Website: http://thewitchsbrew.com/Telephone: (727) 785-483-9210To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

4th of July Pagan Religious Rights Rally and Ritual

Pagan religious rights advocates spent more than ten years in a struggle to achieve the Veterans’ Pentacle victory. As we celebrate, we must ponder our next move in the quest for religious freedom. The Veterans’ Pentacle is a wonderful victory, but the longer campaign for universal religious freedom continues. And so, what should our next steps be?We have seen how long it took to get the Pentacle. Surely we can manifest continued focus on Pagan religious rights issues, so that we don’t wait another ten years for our next victory. We need to voice a further agenda for Pagan religious rights now, while America still remembers that a department of the federal government stonewalled the Pentacle for political reasons. And we need to voice our demand for religious freedom publicly, and invite the media to attend as well.

Read the entire article by Caroline Kenner

A brief history of the easter bunny

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EASTER BUNNY

by: Max Burbank
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days prior, Jesus had been fatally crucified, a day commemorated ironically by the Christian world as 'Good Friday'. Crucifixion is reported to be significantly more painful than a root canal and I would not be inclined to call any day in which I had a root canal 'good'. Perhaps the Church is thinking ahead, as the New Testament tells us that Jesus arose from the grave, appeared to his disciples and ultimately ascended to Heaven, which has always struck me as odd. I mean, why bother coming back to life if you only stick around for a day or so? It seems like a lot of work. In any case, it is this act that is celebrated by Christians every year on Easter Sunday.

Read the all story here, it is worth it!!

I laughed my way thru the all piece!
:D

Show You Care With Safer Choices for Valentine's Day

Fragrances Hide Toxic Chemical IngredientsShow You Care With Safer Choices for Valentine's Day
WASHINGTON - February 9 - The perfume you give your Valentine may contain unwanted — and unlisted — ingredients: toxic chemicals. But this Valentine's Day you can show your loved ones you really care with safer choices from the researchers at Environmental Working Group.
"Most people buy cosmetic products without realizing that they aren't screened for safety and that the fragrances in them may contain any number of additional undisclosed and untested chemical ingredients, some of which may present serious health risks," said Jane Houlihan, vice president for research at EWG, creators of the popular Skin Deep website.
Most ingredients in personal care products are listed on the label. But due to a loophole in federal law, the ingredients in fragrances are not disclosed. This loophole can expose the public to chemicals that present serious health risks.
In 2002, EWG researchers found phthalates in 17 brand-name fragrance products tested, although phthalates were not listed on the label. Phthalates are linked to serious reproductive problems in studies of people and animals. Phthalates are common fragrance ingredients, but the consumer has no way to know which products they are in.
Because cosmetics companies won't tell you what's in the scents they sell you, Environmental Working Group researchers combed through thousands of Valentine's day gift ideas to bring you products that not only smell great, but that are also free of hidden, potentially hazardous fragrances.
The EWG list of Valentine's day gifts with no hidden fragrance ingredients is at http://www.ewg. org/issues/ cosmetics/ valentine/.
Every day, Americans apply personal care products containing an average of 126 different ingredients, to their bodies. These chemicals include carcinogens and reproductive toxins, as well as many compounds that have never been tested for safety. For more information on the safety of the products you use, go to EWG's online product safety guide at http://www.ewg. org/skindeep/.
Skin Deep, the world's most popular searchable database of personal care products, is a safety guide with in-depth information on nearly 15,000 products. Skin Deep provides safety ratings and brand-by-brand comparisons that can help consumers choose safer cosmetics, shampoos, sunscreens and other items, and guide companies to make their products safer.

Indians, Archaeologists Worry About Sale Of Sacred Site

Who wants to buy a native Indian mound for $200,000?The South Florida Museum, which has placed the mound on sale, didn't have any interested parties yet Friday, officials said.But the fact that the 1-acre site is for sale has generated a great deal of interest from the American Indian Movement in Florida and a state archaeological group.They're extremely alarmed that the Pillsbury Temple Mound will be neglected - or desecrated.Already, at least one developer has inquired whether any structure can be built on the land. He has proposed a housing development surrounding the mound.The mound, near DeSoto National Memorial, is one of the last few remaining in the area.

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It is me

never wondered how I look??
here I am!!

Pagans In Iceland Object To Missionaries In Schools

The Pagan Society in Iceland, Ásatrúarfélagid, has objected to the State Church offering school children social support in form of so-called “soul watch interviews.”The interviews are part of an initiative called Vinaleid (“Path of Friends”), which is open to all school-age children.The program enables students to visit the deacon in the local church to talk about their problems, and do not need allowance from parents to do so, as reported in Fréttabladid.

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NOVEMBER 24 IS BUY NOTHING DAY - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

THE ULTIMATE REFUND: On November 24th and 25th -- the busiest days in the American retail calendar and the unofficial start of the international Christmas-shopping season -- thousands of activists and concerned citizens in 65 countries will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global phenomenon that originated in Vancouver, Canada.

From joining zombie marches through malls to organizing credit card cut-ups and shopoholic clinics, Buy Nothing Day activists aim to challenge themselves, their families and their friends to switch off from shopping and tune back into life for one day. Featured in recent years by the likes of CNN, Wired, the BBC, and the CBC, the global event is celebrated as a relaxed family holiday, as a non-commercial street party, or even as a politically charged public protest. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.

Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who choose to participate. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption.

Two recent, high-profile disaster warnings outline the sudden urgency of our dilemma. First, in October, a global warming report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted that climate change will lead to the most massive and widest-ranging market failure the world has ever seen. Soon after, a major study published in the journal Science forecast the near-total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.

Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, which was responsible for turning Buy Nothing Day into an international annual event, said, "Our headlong plunge into ecological collapse requires a profound shift in the way we see things. Driving hybrid cars and limiting industrial emissions is great, but they are band-aid solutions if we don't address the core problem: we have to consume less. This is the message of Buy Nothing Day."

As Lasn suggests, Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It's about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. With six billion people on the planet, the onus if on the most affluent - the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world's resources - to begin setting the example.

For more information and media interviews contact
MEDIA LIASON: Laura FauthTELEPHONE NUMBER: 604-736-9401
EMAIL: media-pr@adbusters. org

U.S. Witches' Book Rocks Italy

Appalaichan Witchcraft authors Lady Passion (Dixie Deerman) and *Diuvei (Steven Rasmussen) hadn't unpacked from their elaborate 12th annual public Witch Ritual attended by thousands on Christian-donated land this Halloween when they received a magical surprise in return -- Editoriale Gruppo Armenia of Milan has translated their The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells For Modern Problems into Italian and is selling it with a new cover under the title of Il Libro Degli Incantesimi (The Book of Incantations). "My bloodline's from Sicily, so this news is so full circle," beamed Lady Passion. "We knew The Goodly Spellbook has been selling well on Chinese web sites, and in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but it's so great to see that our magical work is appreciated and spreading throughout Europe," *Diuvei added. Lady Passion, High Priestess, and *Diuvei, High Priest of Coven Oldenwilde in Asheville, did a booksigning tour throughout England this past June, and were extensively interviewed on London's BBC Radio (hear on their web site at: www.oldenwilde.org). The couple are currently planning a signing tour throughout Italy. Internatinally distributed by Barnes and Nobles, The Goodly Spellbook has received rave reviews from hardened industry insiders and renown Witchcraft authors alike. Il Libro Degli Incantesimi can be ordered by accessing: http://www.armenia.it/, then typing in the "autore" field atop the page: Lady Passion.

Wanna Save The World? Make Sure You Plant The Right Tree

Problems like global warming are so overwhelming that most citizens feel there's nothing they can do to help. That's wrong.

If you want to help, scientists across the country are saying these days, plant a tree. Better yet, work with your city to improve its urban forest.But here's the hard part.

We've all known for years that trees are good for the environment, soaking up air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and a little shade in the middle of what scientists are calling urban heat islands can't hurt. However, not all trees are the same. They all help to clear the air, in varying degrees, but many also contribute to air pollution by emitting volatile organic compounds, such as isoprene, which help form ozone, a health hazard.
Syracuse researchers found that if they could replant their city with trees that are great at sequestering carbon compounds, especially carbon dioxide, they could increase the removal of carbon by more than 300 percent. But they also found that air quality would actually suffer from an increase in volatile compounds.So they looked at mixing the forest, emphasizing trees that are good performers when it comes to carbon sequestration and don't emit a lot of junk. They came up with a list of 31 species, including American basswood, dogwood, Eastern white pine, Eastern red cedar, gray birch, red maple and river birch.

That combination, they found, would increase carbon sequestration by 86 percent, and reduce the emission of volatile compounds by 88 percent.

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Conversations with God, The Movie

Conversations with God, The Movie
The true story about the life of record-breaking New York Times bestselling author Neale Donald Walsch

Observations by Erik Karl Fulkerson

I am so glad I trusted my intuition. “This might be good,” was the subtle thought echoing in my mind as I watched the trailer. How many times have I not listen to the inner knowing, the subtle voice inside, my gut feeling, only to discover later despite any outward logic, my intuition turned out correct.
I needed to see this movie complete, and more than that, I wondered if my kids would enjoy watching the true story about Neale Donald Walsch. Now there would be a real test!
What a daunting task to tell the true story of how the magnificently sacred works of the Conversations With God books came to be written. What actor could possibly be able to play Neale Donald Walsch with believability?
Gratefully receiving an advance screener of the film I sat down to watch. As the ending credits rolled I said to myself, “We have a winner.”
I found it to be beautifully written, very well crafted, superbly directed. I give high praise and credit for the films success to actor Henry Czerny, playing the lead role as Neale. Having the distinct pleasure of spending time with Neale on a few occasions, I found Henry Czerny's portrayal tremendous in capturing the feeling, look, mannerism, intonation, and character of Neale Donald Walsch. Henry Czerny's masterful acting skill was pivotal in making the film great.
“There but for the grace of God, go I.” How many of us have said that to ourselves numerous times? I know I certainly have. How many of us have felt the fear of thinking we are just one paycheck away from being homeless as Neale once became? Too many times in my early corporate career did I feel such a fear. I believe this film will touch us all more deeply than we might first think; speaking to those fears prevalent in our lives all of us at some time have experienced.
Now for the Kid Test. Gather ye children did I, although it did take a little cajoling…well, bribery may be more accurate…which seem to persuade them to sit and watch. Their comments say it best, “That was really great.” “Did that really happen?” “I liked it. It was good.”
Perhaps a tougher test may be the older 18 to 25 demographic, with a couple of 14 year olds thrown into the mix. A few phone calls and couple of days later I had collected a half a dozen in this range. Much to my delight, and admittedly surprise, they also loved the film and found it inspiring, emotionally moving, and it prompted more questions about the real Neale and the Conversations With God books. A request I most joyfully fulfilled.
I feel this film may become another bridge for kids, teens, and adults to become more inspired about their spiritual life and their own private conversations with God.
I loved the movie, in particular Henry Czerny. The story is so well told and crafted by Eric Delabarre you are held intently till the very end, wanting more. Always a sign of a truly great film, and it could very well be another award winning film from Stephen Simon, his directing and production talent once again shining bright.
Don't miss this film, and if you desire like me, to see more films from the Spiritual Cinema genre, then it is vital you see this film in the theaters during its release. Go twice. Bring everyone you know. Tell everyone about it. Help carry the message to Hollywood the genre of Spiritual Cinema is real and supported.
The film will be released Friday, October 27th , to theaters around the country and November 10th in Canada. It is to these theaters where the support for a spiritual cinema film genre will be measured. If you want to see more of spiritual cinema in mainstream movie theaters, movies about heart and soul, then it is vital you go see Conversations With God, The Movie at one of these theaters. Look for a theater near you and watch the trailer at http://www.cwgthemovie.com .

From Pagans To Pumpkins

Halloween is an innocent time of year for children to dress up as pirates and princesses and coax treats from their neighbors under threat of tricks. Yet, some Evangelicals feel the festivities are a trap-door to Satan's playground."Halloween used to be called Samhain and is still celebrated as an ancient pagan festival of the dead by witches all over the world," writes William Schnoebelen in a creed for fundamentalist Chick Publications of Ontario, Calif."If you allow your children to participate in Halloween," he continues, "you are allowing them to play on 'the devil's turf,' and Satan will definitely press his home court advantage."Most of the eager ghosts and goblins who adorn their homes with plastic witches cauldrons and synthetic spider webs are unaware of the religious origin of the secular celebration held Oct. 31 and its ties to Christianity.

FDA Is Set To Approve Milk, Meat From Clones

By Rick Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 17, 2006; Page A01

Three years after the Food and Drug Administration first hinted that it might permit the sale of milk and meat from cloned animals, prompting public reactions that ranged from curiosity to disgust, the agency is poised to endorse marketing of the mass-produced animals for public consumption.
The decision, expected by the end of this year, is based largely on new data indicating that milk and meat from cloned livestock and their offspring pose no unique risks to consumers.

"Our evaluation is that the food from cloned animals is as safe as the food we eat every day," said Stephen F. Sundlof, the FDA's chief of veterinary medicine, who has overseen the long-stalled risk assessment.

Farmers and companies that have been growing cloned barnyard animals from single cells in anticipation of a lucrative market say cloning will bring consumers a level of consistency and quality impossible to attain with conventional breeding, making perfectly marbled beef and reliably lean and tasty pork the norm on grocery shelves.

But groups opposed to the new technology, including a coalition of powerful food companies concerned that the public will reject Dolly-the-Lamb chops and clonal cream in their coffee, have not given up.

On Thursday, advocacy groups filed a petition asking the FDA to regulate cloned farm animals one type at a time, much as it regulates new drugs, a change that would drastically slow marketing approval. Some are also questioning the ethics of a technology that, while more efficient than it used to be, still poses risks for pregnant animals and their newborns.

"The government talks about being science-based, and that's great, but I think there is another pillar here: the question of whether we really want to do this," said Carol Tucker Foreman, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America.

That there is a debate at all about integrating clones into the food supply is evidence of the remarkable progress made since the 1996 birth of Dolly, the world's first mammalian clone, created from an udder cell of an anonymous ewe.

Scientists have now applied the technique successfully to cattle, horses, pigs, goats and other mammals. Each clone is a genetic replica of the animal that donated the cell from which it was grown.

Cloning could solve a number of long-standing farm problems. Many prize males are not recognized as such until long after they have been tamed by castration. With cloning, that lack of semen would not matter. Cloning also allows farmers to make many copies of exceptional milk producers; with natural breeding, cows have only one offspring per year, and half are males.
In the eyes of many in agriculture, cloning is simply the latest in a string of advances such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization that have given farmers better control over animal reproduction.

"Clones are just clones. They are not genetically engineered animals," said Barbara Glenn, chief of animal biotechnology at the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
complete story at: http://www.washingt onpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/ article/2006/ 10/16/AR20061016 01337.html

Children Singing Peace Around the World (CSPAW)

Children Singing Peace Around the World is a living prayer to heal the Earth sung with heartfelt commitment by youth and elders around the globe. Originally composed on Mt. Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii, its message of Peace and Aloha radiates worldwide through CSPAW programs, recordings and sharing heart to heart.


Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace
We are children singing Peace

Peace with the Mother
Peace with the Father
Children singing Peace
Peace with our Sisters
Peace with our Brothers
Children Singing Peace

Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace
We are children singing Peace

Peace within brings
Peace without and
Peace all over the world.

Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace
We are children singing Peace.

If you wish to hear this in MP3 you can check their website ate www.childrensingingpeace.com

Ancient Stonehenge Houses Unearthed

Nine Neolithic-era buildings have been excavated in the Stonehenge world heritage site, according to a report in the journal British Archaeology.The structures, which appear to have been homes, date to 2,600-2,500 B.C. and were contemporary with the earliest stone settings at the site's famous megalith. They are the first house-like structures discovered there.Julian Thomas, who worked on the project and is chair of the archaeology department at Manchester University in England, said Stonehenge could have been a key gathering place at the Neolithic era's version of a housing development.

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Free e-book on shamanism

This is something I have received in the email today and would like to share:

"To help each of us on the journey, I gift each on the Holistic Community list with: One Free E-book copy of, “The Way of the Corporate Shaman.”This is a breakthrough book on integrating ancient wisdom and modern science to help us be more effective at transforming ourselves at work and in our communities. Now more then ever, this information is needed in the world. Read and Share….
To obtain your free copy, click on the following link:
http://corporateshamanway.com/pages/download.html
Print, binder, Enjoy! As you move through the book, note I also have free monthly conference calls on the material.
Email me to join in!
Now is the time…
Aho!
Bill Lion Hawk"

Samhain Recipes

It is not early to start planning your samhain menu! I will be posting a few recipes hehe, here is the first one:

Pumpkin Muffins
1 c Unbleached Flour, Sifted
2 t Baking Powder
1/4 t Salt
1/4 t Ground Cinnamon
1/4 c Vegetable Shortening
2/3 c Sugar
1 ea Large Egg
1/2 c Canned, Mashed Pumpkin
2 T Milk

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; set aside. Cream together shortening and sugar in mixing bowl until light and fluffy, using electric mixer at medium speed. Beat in egg. Combine pumpkin and milk in small bowl. Add dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin mixture to creamed mixture, stirring well after each addition. Spoon batter into paper-lined 2 1/2-inch muffin-pan cups, filling 2/3rds full.

Bake in 350 degree F. oven 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and homemade jam.

It is not about one running away from troubles of society to an empty cave in the forest to find enlightenment; but rather its about being an enlighten caveman in society, living the Eternal Wisdom of our loving heart cave found at the center of all beings.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti-Durga
Das Heart's Wisdom recalled

Witches Weekly: Grimoire

Q:Do you keep an equivalent of a book of shadows? What format do you keep it in? (digital, paper), how often do you use it, and is it categorized in any way?

A: I do not. Usually I post all the info at my website WiccaSources.

Number of books facing challenge drops to all-time low

By The Associated Press 09.29.06
NEW YORK — The number of books threatened with removal from library shelves dropped last year to its lowest total on record, with 405 challenges reported to the American Library Association.
The ALA has been tracking efforts to pull texts since the early 1980s, when it helped found Banned Books Week as a celebration of free expression. The 25th annual "Banned Books" program is taking place this week, as libraries and bookstores highlight works that have been removed or faced removal.

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Mother Wants "Harry Potter" Books Removed

Again and again, this all story around Harry Potter and how he corrupts little children into practicing Witchcraft. It is getting more and more ridiculous everytime. If you click the title of this post, it will take you to the WSBTV website, where you can read all about a mother who is trying to remove Harry Potters books out of her children´s school library!

Pagans Sue On Emblem For Graves

Military veterans are entitled to have their headstones engraved by the government with a symbol of their religion. Families of the deceased may choose from emblems representing a variety of 18 Christian churches, a number of Buddhist sects, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism and atheism (represented by an atom with an A inside) — 38 religious symbols in all.

But not the Wiccan pentacle, which the Department of Veterans Affairs has neither approved nor disallowed despite various petitions over the last nine years.

Yesterday three Wiccan families and two Wiccan churches sued to force the department to include their symbol — a five-pointed star inside a circle — on the list of approved emblems.

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