Whispers Of A Stone Circle Volume III, Issue 33 August 30 , 2002 In This Issue: Editor’s Note Poem: Chasing The Wind By Fantasy Cool Link(s) Article: The Shaman's Path - Soul Retrieval Part 3 of 4 By Jodi Wetherup (ierne) In the News: District Suspends Student For Wearing Symbol Of Faith Announcements: Ellen Cannon Reed Hospitalized The Passing of Kay Gardner Writer's Biographies Submission guidelines and other stuff ~*~*~ Hello All, I am starting to figure out what changes I am wanting for Whispers other then the new web site and new mailing program to mail it to you all. I do know a change in the look is one area. Today’s is a test to see what I think once it is mailed. It my stay this way and it may change, we will see what I decide next week. This week I have spent quite a bit of time making salsa. I will admit I cheat and use Mrs. Wages Salsa mix but I don’t see any artificial ingredients in it and it tastes great besides being a bit easier. I don’t really have much more to say this week, So until next time, Sheila K. Watkins Editor: Whispers of a Stone Circle See last page of this newsletter for submission guidelines, forwarding guidelines, where you can subscribe to Whispers and copyright information. ~*~*~*~ Chasing The Wind By Fantasy I'm chasing the wind, Following my heart. Oh I'm catching up on my dreams, Following through on my ambitions. I'm chasing the wind. Forever searching, Forever hoping, I know that someday I'll find Whatever I'm looking for. I love this world I'm on, Even though it's not perfect. But that's OK, I know I'm loved. but until I find my one true love, I'm chasing the wind, Following my heart. Oh I'm catching up on my dreams, Following through on my ambitions. Oh I'm chasing the wind. But until I'm tied down, Forever more, I'll be living life to the fullest, Just being me. Oh, I'm forever chasing the wind, Seeing where it goes. Maybe one day I'll find the edge of the world. Oh, I hope so. That is my one dream, & maybe, just maybe, along the way I'll find my one true love. But until then I'm chasing the wind, Following my heart. Oh I'm catching up on my dreams, Following through on my ambitions. I'm chasing the wind. Oh I'll be chasing the wind, Following my heart. Oh I'm catching up on my dreams, Following through on my ambitions. I'm chasing the wind. (music play for few seconds) Yeah until then I'll be chasing the wind, Following my heart. Oh I'll be catching up on my dreams, Following through on my ambitions. I'll be chasing the wind. oohh I'll be forever more chasing the wind. ~*~*~*~ Cool Link(s) of the week: http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/ The HortiPlex database contains plant images and data as well as links to information sources, images and vendors at other sites. You can search by botanical or common name. http://www.botany.com/ Botany.Com, the Encyclopedia of Flowers and Plants, is your complete resource for all of your Gardening Needs.It provides information regarding the general description of the plants, the various methods of cultivation, such as indoor or outdoor planting, soil and temperature requirements, pruning, and other important details, the means of propagation (seeds, cuttings, division, etc.), and the different varieties and hybrids. http://www.ipni.org/index.html The International Plant Names Index (IPNI) is a database of the names and associated basic bibliographical details of all seed plants. Its goal is to eliminate the need for repeated reference to primary sources for basic bibliographic information about plant names. ~*~*~*~ The Shaman's Path - Soul Retrieval Part 3 of 4 By Jodi Wetherup (ierne) Published on: December 5, 2000 http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/women_healing_methods/54320 Repairing a soul shattered by traumatic events, severe illness, or a near death experience is called "Soul Retrieval". The shattered pieces may number from a single fragment to any amount of pieces. Soul Retrieval, unlike Animal/Spirit Guide Retrieval is a fair bit more complicated. Often times the soul fragmentation is diverse in nature, and the fragment(s) may not wish to return and re-integrate with the soul, or when it does return and re-integrate it is emotionally and psychologically stressful for the client. This stress is brief. The methodology remains the same however. The client can be present, or if the need of absence arises, Soul Retrieval may be performed by the Shaman without the client's physical body. The Shaman, as always, must begin by grounding or getting rid of any personal conflicts or problems. Once this is done, the Shaman will proceed to set up the working area, arranging the totem symbols, setting his/her other tools in place (wand, staff, incense, etc.) within easy reach. One tool used here and not with the other methods (or very rarely with the others) is the use of a "Soul-Catcher" crystal. I have no personal experience with these crystals, and, as I expected, very little information is available online, and I have yet to hear from my Shaman friend in this regard. When I do, I will post the information on a separate page and link from here. In the meantime, I will continue with an explanation of a session. If there are more than one or two pieces of a soul which need to be returned, it is best they are left and searched out later. This is because of the stressful situation that may arise upon re-integration (the process I spoke of earlier). The process begins with the Shaman using whatever means he/she is comfortable with in gaining access to the alternate realities. Steady drumming, bells, or consistent white noise will work. To me, attaining this alternate reality is somewhat akin to deep meditation and Astral Travel combined (yes, I do see a difference between the two). There are many possibilities as to where the fragments of soul journey to, however in Celtic Spirituality, the fragments become residents of the Blessed Isles. The Shaman journeys to the Isles and finds each piece. Once found, the Shaman will converse with the piece of soul, finding some common ground on which to discuss a return to the main body of the soul. These fragments should never be forced into returning, they should come home of their own free will. If they are forced to return, re-integration may become emotionally painful for the client, and the fragment may eventually leave again. If the fragment of the soul wishes to return, the Shaman will carry the fragment home via the crystal, which is then placed upon the Third Eye (brow) area of the client, when the Shaman returns to the physical. If the client is not present, the Shaman will direct the fragment home over the Astral Plane. Again, coming back to the physical world is simple enough - a change in the drumming, bells or other sounds is often sufficient. ~*~*~*~ In the News: District Suspends Student For Wearing Symbol Of Faith Mother Says Pentacle Doesn't Symbolize Devil Worship POSTED: 8:32 a.m. CDT August 29, 2002 UPDATED: 12:27 p.m. CDT August 29, 2002 WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- A North Texas mother claims her daughter is suffering from religious discrimination, as she was suspended from class for wearing a certain necklace. The family practices the Wiccan religion. The girl's mother said the Waxahachie school district is denying her daughter an education because of her faith. "It's called a pentacle. It holds a lot for me, and I think it protects me," Rebecca Moreno said. Rest of Story: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1639193/detail.html ~*~*~*~ Announcement(s): Ellen Cannon Reed Hospitalized Well-known Pagan author Ellen Cannon Reed has been hospitalized. She has been fighting a battle with leukemia and fallen out of remission. She's currently in ICU dealing with the disease again. Prayers and Healing work are gladly accepted. The Passing of Kay Gardner From: "Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess, Intl." rcgi@itis.com Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 18:28:31 -0500 Dear Sisters, I am writing with the sad news of a beloved sister's passing. Kay Gardner had a massive heart attack Wednesday morning and died. We will all mourn her passing and remember her extensive and beautiful gifts to our community. We extend energy and support to those close to her in their time of grief. She was a pioneer in women's music and a leader in the women's spirituality movement. We are saddened that one of our leaders has left to continue her work elsewhere. She will be sorely missed here. Blessings on your path, Kay. With Love, The Women of the Motherhouse GATHERING to HONOR the LIFE and MEMORY of KAY GARDNER SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST 10am Lake Leota Park in Evansville, WI (20 miles south of Madison, WI) On Wednesday, August 28th, our beloved friend, sister, pioneering Musician and recording artist, prolific composer, priestess, author, and teacher died suddenly from a massive heart attack at her home in Bangor, Maine. We will gather this Sunday morning, to celebrate the life of this Woman whose courage and work so deeply, profoundly, influenced and contributed to lesbian culture, women’Äôs spirituality, and the Goddess Movement. Please bring a white jar candle, something to sit on, and something to drink. The park has accessible toilet facilities nearby. We will gather in the park, at the corner of Grove Street and Leonard Park Drive. There is ample parking on Grove Street or on Second Street. Please pass this notice on to all those who loved her and her music. Open to All. Directions from Madison: Take the Beltline (Hwy 12/18) to the Park Street/Oregon exit (Hwy. 14 East). (Evansville is exactly 20 miles south of Madison from the Beltline) Take Hwy 14 east out of Madison toward Oregon. Continue past Oregon, another 10 miles to the edge of Evansville. Follow the signs of 59W/213S (to the right), as it splits off of the 14. The entrance to Lake Leota Park will be immediately on your right, marked by a vintage WWII Tank. Turn right into the park for a short distance. Where the road ends at a T (very short distance) make a left, and an immediate right onto Grove Street. Go two blocks and begin looking for your parking space. You will see us gathering in the greenspace ahead. Please do not park on the grass in the park Directions from Chicago: Take I90 west ( approximately 110 miles) to Exit 171-B, the Janesville/Milton exit. Merge onto US Hwy 14 West and travel 18 miles to Evansville. At the four-way stop sign (Citgo Station on your right), where Hwy 14 goes to the right, you continue forward onto Main St. Go through downtown to Second St and turn right. Second St ends at the park, you will see us gathering . There is parking on all the adjacent streets but no parking on the grass. Emergency questions or lost, call Ruth Barrett or Falcon River at Temple of Diana’Äôs voice mail 608/882-4655 ~*~*~*~ Writer's Biographies: Fantasy (Silver Storm Cloud)is a talented young poet/song writer who has been published before in American Witch and Pagan. Jodi Wetherup (ierne) is the editor of more newsletters and Publications then I even want to count. Fortunately editing this many newsletters has not been declared a form of insanity. Sheila K. Watkins founded and became editor of Whispers of a Stone Circle in October of 2000. She is past editor of The American Witch and Pagan Weekly Newsletter, A long time Wiccan/Pagan/Witch as well as being a Wife and Mother. ~*~*~*~ Submissions are always welcomed and can be made to: Zeliziw@netins.net In submitting materials writers are agreeing that if accepted I may post them in the newsletter and on the web page (whenever I finally get back to work on it.) Works submitted must be the writer’s own work and they must still retain the copyright OR it must be verifiably public domain. Works can have been published before but please nothing that has been around over and over again. Copyright remains in the author’s possession. The Author also realizes that they will not be paid. (If I had money I would be hosting this on something other then Yahoo.) If a submission is accepted, I will check for punctuation, capitalization and spelling in submitted articles. I will fix minor errors if they are present. I will NOT reword things (except for an occasional “an” for “a” and vice versa.) Poems are published as submitted. Forwarding information: If you chose to forward this newsletter, do so in its entirety, including copyright and contact information. People may subscribe to Whispers of A Stone Circle at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhispersOfAStoneCircle/ All articles, poems, etc, except where noted are copyrighted by the writers and are used with permission. They are not to be republished without the express permission of the writers. Contact information may be obtained by contacting the editor of Whispers of A Stone Circle at Zeliziw@netins.net Copyright (c) 2002 Sheila K. Watson. All Rights Reserved