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YULE 2014!

Christmas in America, Alfons Maria Mucha (1919), Public domain
MERRY YULE!

WELCOME to the Edge of the Circle Newsletter. This newsletter has come about as an effort to reach out to the Pagan/ Occult community (particularly in Seattle where we are based) to inform the community of what events are happening at our store. Without further ado, welcome, and enjoy.
Regards, Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler, Editrix- golanv1@yahoo.com

WHO WE ARE: Edge of the Circle Books is Seattle's resource for Paganism & the Occult. This newsletter seeks to provide the Seattle community with a place to list events, post articles, and do a bit of networking.

We are located at: 701 E. Pike St, corner of Boylston Ave., just two blocks west of Broadway, on Capitol Hill.

Edge of the Circle Books strives to be your ideal Magical Pagan store.

Open 7 days a week, Noon 'till 9pm.
Call: 206-PAN-1999

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We are also now on Facebook:
Become a Fan; post your event on the discussion page!

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REMINDER: We buy used Occult Books! Our buyer is in on Wednesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays, and Sundays!

CLASSROOM/RITUAL SPACE IS AVAILABLE-- PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS!









Note: all prices are subject to change without notice.


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TECHNIQUES OF GRAECO-EGYPTIAN MAGIC
By Stephen Skinner
Publisher: Golden Hoard/Llewellyn, November 2014
Hard Cover with Dust Jacket |
388 pages
List Price: $65.00

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Uncover the Techniques Used by Graeco-Egyptian Magicians

Egypt was once at the heart of magical practice, and the Graeco-Egyptian papyri are the clearest and most extensive documentation of some of these earliest methods. Using academic tools, Stephen Skinner has translated and presented the information contained in the papyri so that the magic will transcend theory and become a real practice.

More than simply a guide to the papyri, Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic is a complete survey and explanation of the techniques, including:


  • Attracting love, health, and foresight
  • Bowl and lamp skrying
  • Sending of dreams
  • Mystery rites for fellowship with the gods

And more!

Uncover the techniques once used by Graeco-Egyptian magicians to bring this powerful magic into your life.


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SEX, SORCERY, AND SPIRIT:
The Secrets of Erotic Magic
By Jason Miller
Publisher: New Page Books; 1 edition (November 24, 2014)
Paperback: 224 pages
List Price: $15.99


FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The sexual act is possibly the most potent--and pleasurable--gateway to the primordial and the divine. From the Tantric mysteries of Hinduism and Buddhism and the inner alchemy of Taoism, to the sacrament of the bridal chamber in Christianity--and, of course, the traditions of Western Magic and Witchcraft--sex pervades the highest and most secret teachings all over the world.

In Sex, Sorcery, and Spirit, Jason Miller draws upon his training in Eastern and Western mystery schools to produce a frank, comprehensive exploration of sexual sorcery and spirituality. In clear language, he will show you how to take your magic to the next level, teaching you:

How to use the moment of orgasm as a gateway to the highest levels of spiritual attainment.
The use of sexual elixirs in alchemy and practical sorcery.
How to work with sexual spirits and gods.
The dangers of sex magic and how to avoid them.
A grimoire of sexual spells and rituals.

This daring and tantalizing work throws open the doors into the realms of sexual magic that have been hidden behind secret orders and arcane terminology for far too long--until now.


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MERLIN STONE REMEMBERED:
Her Life & Works
By David B. Axelrod, Carol F. Thomas, Lenny Schneir, Merlin Stone
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Publication date: 12/8/2014
Pages: 384
List Price: $21.99


FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Discover the extraordinary life and profound contributions of Merlin Stone, the renowned feminist, author, artist, historian, and speaker. With unparalleled access to Merlin’s unpublished writings, photos, and personal stories, Merlin Stone Remembered is a significant contribution to women’s studies, spirituality, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Known for her groundbreaking book When God Was a Woman, Merlin Stone was a pioneer of the Women’s Movement and the reclaiming of the Great Goddess tradition of the Western world. In this phenomenal book, new light is shed upon Merlin’s philosophy and methodology as you take a memorable journey through her life.

Includes over sixty photos and a twelve-page color insert.

Praise:

It is so great to remember Merlin . . . to have so much detail about her life and her work.”—Olympia Dukakis, Oscar-winning actress and author

A fascinating, intimate look at the life of Merlin Stone.”—Starhawk, author of The Spiral Dance

A touching tribute to a remarkable woman.”—Barbara G. Walker, author of The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets
Amazing, heartfelt, funny, romantic, and an enduring testament to a woman who changed the world.”—Susun S. Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal series

"A beautiful work of love . . . celebrating the life of Merlin Stone, [including] Lenny's loving memoir of his years with this extraordinary woman—a delight to read!"—Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D., author of Whence the Goddesses: A Source Book

"This book is paradigm-shifting. It should be read by all those who yearn for miracles, as well as by those who still need proof to believe that they are possible. It gives us hope for the regeneration of compassionate and nurturing relations between all forms of interconnected life on our planet, now and in the future."—Gloria Orenstein, Prof. Emerita, Comparative Literature and Gender Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

"A lovely and loving tribute to the late Merlin Stone, a foremother of Goddess feminism . . . What a gift to those of us familiar with Stone’s work, as well as those who want to know more about her life, both personal and professional."—Judith Laura, author of Goddess Spirituality for the 21st Century: From Kabbalah to Quantum Physics

"Merlin Stone is a great inspiration for those of us who want to know not just about history, but also about herstory. Her [work] continues to influence the Goddess movement today. Her life partner Lenny was an inspiration for her and this book about Merlin's life will inspire many."—Linda Perry Barr, Journalist, WBAI News, Pacifica Radio, New York

"A beautifully crafted tribute to a remarkable person. Merlin Stone, a pioneering scholar of the Women's Spirituality movement, figured it all out early on and made the case. Even more, she was gracious and kind."—Charlene Spretnak, author of Lost Goddesses of Early Greece




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PRIESTESS AND THE PEN:
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Dion Fortune, and Diana Paxson's
Influence on Modern Paganism
By Sonja Sadovsky
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.
Publication date: 12/8/2014
Pages: 240
List Price: $16.99


FROM THE PUBLISHER:
This groundbreaking book by brilliant debut author Sonja Sadovsky shines new light on how three profound minds shaped the course of history. The fantasy novels of Dion Fortune, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Diana L. Paxson influenced the image of the priestess in Neopagan and Goddess-centered spirituality throughout the world. The Priestess and the Pen shows how their work revolutionized womanhood, created space for women to reclaim their power, and energized the women’s equality movement.

Presenting a radical reinterpretation of the Goddess as four-fold rather than three-fold, The Priestess and the Pen adds dimension and relevance to the traditional Triple Goddess archetype in a way that has never before been considered with such daring reverence. This revolutionary work is poised to become the foremost historical resource and contemporary interpretation of the Pagan priestess, taking up the torch of Drawing Down the Moon and Triumph of the Moon.

About the Author:
Sonja Sadovsky. She holds a Master's of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Western Esotericism and Mysticism from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. She has created several study groups to introduce people to various occult topics, and has lectured on such topics as Wicca, Kabbalah, and Western Esotericism in the modern context.


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PLANETS FOR PAGANS:
Sacred Sites, Ancient Lore, and Magical Stargazing
By Renna Shesso
Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date: 12/1/2014
Pages: 272
List Price:$ 19.95

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
"The sky was our original calendar, our original storybook, the first illustrated edition, the prototype GPS. Beyond its pragmatic usefulness, the sky was the domain of spirit, traversed by deities and a place to which human souls departed. Let's re-enchant it, shall we?"-Renna Shesso

Impeccably researched by one of the most eclectic pagan scholars working today, this book aims to reengage our fascination with the planets and stars. Shesso looks at the mythology, legend, science and lore about the planets and most significant stars in a chapter-by-chapter format. Included are nearly 150 diagrams and illustrations--of the heavens, astrological views, depictions of gods and goddesses, sky totems, Tarot symbols, star charts, and more.

Anyone with even a vaguely pagan bent, anyone with a reverence for the natural world, who has ever marveled at the night sky will love this enchanted view of the planets and stars.


Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments,

Chapter 0 Following the North Star,
Chapter 1 The Zodiac—Our Circle of Animals,
Chapter 2 The Dance of the Sun,
Chapter 3 The Precession of the Equinoxes,
Chapter 4 The Moon—Queen of the Night,
Chapter 5 Mercury—Magical Messenger and Soul Guide,
Chapter 6 Venus—A Walk with Love, Death, and Rebirth,
Chapter 7 Mars—A Planetary Rebel?,
Chapter 8 Jupiter—King of Many Names,
Chapter 9 Saturn—The Ancients' Final Frontier,
Chapter 10 Some Special Stars, Groups, and Phenomena,
Appendix A: Mercury Elongations 2010–2050,
Appendix B: Venus Elongations 2010–2050,
Appendix C: Mars' Location and Motion in the Night Sky 2010–2050,
Appendix D: Jupiter's Location and Motion in the Night Sky 2010–2050,
Appendix E: Saturn's Location and Motion in the Night Sky 2010–2050,

Notes,
Selected Bibliography,
Illustrations,
Index

About the Author:
Renna Shesso has been a student of mystical traditions and spiritual self-discovery since the late 1960s. She is the author of Math for Mystics. A longtime resident of Colorado, Shesso follows her calling as shamanic healing practitioner and teacher, professional tarot reader, and priestess of the Craft. Visit her at www.rennashesso.com.


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AMERICAN GROTESQUE:
The Life and Art of William Mortensen
By William Mortensen with contributions by: Larry Lytle, A.D. Coleman , Michael Moynihan
Publisher: Feral House
Publication date: 11/25/2014
Pages: 300
List Price: $ 45.00

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In the early ‘30s a group of purist photographers calling themselves “Group f/64” reacted against a “pictorial” mode of photography that was popular at the time. “f/64″ was smallest aperture of wide-format cameras at the time… photographs using this tiny aperture seemed quite refreshing next to soft-focus stuff that was filling up photography magazines at the time. Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, and others promoted ultra-sharp images. The side of a cliff at Yosemite, or a Nautilus shell. The images are beautiful.

William Mortensen was the photographer that Group f/64 hated the most. In a letter Ansel Adams called him “The Anti-Christ.” Mortensen’s photographs were seen as impure and adulterated, morally wrong. It could be said that Group f/64 approached purist photography as a religious belief.

In time, f/64 photographers rose to the top and made certain that non-purist photographers like William Mortensen were never shown in museums and galleries that carried his work.

So who is this William Mortensen and why was he characterized as being the Anti-Christ? And why do we love his work?

Everyone will discover the amazing qualities of Mortensen’s photographs when two Feral House books are published and a traveling exhibition of Mortensen’s work is seen in galleries in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle late this year.

American Grotesque: The Life and Art of William Mortensen is a 9 x 12, 296-page hardcover collection of the man’s photography, many never before seen in print, emphasizing his most experimental, extreme and occult work, along with his first true biography and accounts of his innovative photography methods.



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NEW DIVINATION:


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THE LENORMAND FORTUNE-TELLING CARDS
The Legendary 18th-Century Oracle
By Harald Josten
Publisher: Sterling Ethos, November 2014
Kit: full-color 96 page book + 36 cards
List Price: $17.95

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand was one of the greatest fortune-tellers of all time—and a powerful clairvoyant who provided services for luminaries ranging from Robespierre to Empress Josephine. To use her psychic powers to the fullest, Lenormand created her own personal, eerily accurate divination deck. These cards recreate that deck exactly, with all their creepy art intact. Tarot enthusiasts will clamor for them.


About the Author:
Harald Jösten is an authority on divination decks and the Lenormand in particular. He lives in Germany.




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JAPARIDZE TAROT
By Nino Japaridze (Author, Illustrator)
Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
Book and Deck Set, 78 cards/178 page book
List Price: $29.95

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Japaridze Tarot is a reimagining of the tarot universe through the visionary lens of leading Parisian contemporary artist, Nino Japaridze. In each of her 78 collage-style surrealistic paintings she boldly explores the many layers of esoteric symbolism in tarot, revealing its transformative powers. Her unique interpretations of the Minor Arcana delve deep into elemental, as well as numerological associations.

This deluxe set includes a 178-page book with full-color artwork accompanied by descriptions and divinatory meanings to guide the reader through the Fool’s Journey toward self-knowledge.

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TAROT MUCHA 
Artists Giulia F. Massaglia, Barbara Nosenzo
Author, Pietro Alligo
Specs: Boxed Deck: Features 78 cards
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
List Price: $26.95

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
An extraordinary tribute to art nouveau pioneer Alphonse Mucha, this deck embraces the fresh beauty of the dawning of the twentieth century along with the eternal wisdom and understanding of the tarot. This special edition contains full-bleed images and a booklet that reveals every secret hidden in the cards.



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NEW CALENDARS AND PLANNERS:

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TAROT LOVERS' CALENDAR 2015
By Major Tom Schick
Devera Publishing
This calendar measures 8.5" by 11" and opens to 8.5" by 22"
List Price: $15.00


FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Do you love tarot? Do you like to see the latest tarot decks from the best contemporary artists? Do you have a place on your wall for a calendar? Then the Tarot Lovers' Calendar is for you.

Now in its 14th year, The Tarot Lovers' Calendar is a high quality spiral bound, printed showcase featuring the most talented artists working with tarot in the world today. Many people have built collections that they refer to time and again, finding that the Tarot Lovers' Calendar provides useful information and a view of the 'tarot zeitgeist' for the year. The limited 2015 edition (500 copies) is entirely produced in the USA.




There's some really great artists and decks featured in the 2015 calendar: The Astral Scion Tarot by Blue Gene, The Ellis decK by Taylor Ellis, The Irish Lenormand by Lynn Boyle Aquarius Wellbeing, The Tabula Mundi Tarot by M.M. Meleen, The Syzygy Oracle by Heather Mendel, Tarot de St Croix by Lisa de St Croix, Katrina's Personal Petite Lenormand by Katrina Wynne, The Compound Tarot by Beth Seilonen, The Dark Carnival by Rachel Paul, The Lux Ferous Tarot by Fiona Benjamin and Nghia Hoang, The Singing Serpent Tarot by Eleanor Boyce, and The FaYth Tarot by Gaby Merman



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SEASONS OF THE WITCH 2015 SPIRAL PLANNER
The Secret Life of the Witches
7th House Publishing
List Price: $19.95

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The Seasons of the Witch weekly planner is back for 2015! Don't miss out - quantities are limited.

TWO PAGE PER WEEK format (including Saturday and Sunday) features major & minor PowerCasting™ opportunities for spells, sabbats, esbats, noteworthy events, lunar astrology, moon void-of-course, Mercury Retrograde, and secular (bank) holidays. Each month begins with a two-page month-at-a-glance spread. Written by Kelly Danann with artwork by Victoria Danann.

Paperback spiral bound datebook has 191 supremely writable black and white pages (page size 5-1/2" x 8-1/2").


Spiral bound. 190 pages (page size 5 1/2" x 8 1/2").



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SEASONS ON THE WALL CALENDAR, 2015
The Secret Life of the Witches
7th House Publishing
List Price: $19.95

The Seasons of the Witch wall calendar is back for 2015! Don't miss out - quantities are limited.

Featuring the artwork and annotations of Kelly and Victoria Danann, the 2015 Seasons on the Wall calendar takes you on a journey with beautiful mask artwork for each month representing the secret life of witches. The calendar features moon phases, moon void-of-course periods, days that might be particularly potent for spellcasting, and what sort of magick might work best.

Calendar measures 12" x 12" (24" long by 12" wide when opened) and is printed on heavy matte paper for easy note writing.





ONGOING AT EDGE OF THE CIRCLE BOOKS

  • EVERY WEDNESDAY: IRISH LANGUAGE DROP IN CLASS-7-9PM



  • Every first Sunday of each month--SEATTLE CHAOS MAGIC
We meet at 3:33 pm. on the first Sunday of each month, at Edge of the Circle Books, 701 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122. Anyone practicing, curious about, or otherwise interested in Chaos magic is welcome to attend.


  • Every 1st Monday of each month CELTIC RECONSTRUCTIONIST GROUP 7-9PM




SERVICES AVAILABLE AT EDGE OF THE CIRCLE BOOKS

REMINDER: We buy used Occult Books! Our buyer is in on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays!
We also have classroom/ritual space-- please call for details.
Need Spell advice? Just ask!

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TAROT READINGS / SPIRITUAL ADVICE

UNCOMMONSENSE TAROT
Tarot readings by Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler
"I've been reading Tarot for more than thirty years, and reading professionally at the Edge for a decade. My belief is that Tarot is best used for putting you in touch with your own subconscious, allowing you to make healthy decisions that can change your life for the better. My readings tend to be rather commonsensical. They are often geared toward helping the client deal with the often self-imposed obstacles in their lives in a healthy, self –affirming way, so that they can achieve their goals and fully enjoy the fruits that life has to bring."

Please inquire about Tarot Parties, classes and other events.
Available every day except THURSDAYS-- 12:30-8.30PM.
Sundays 12:30-8:30 PM

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This concludes our Newsletter for this month.
Look for us again January 1st , 2015!
Raven, Editrix, Edge of the Circle Books Newsletter

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Winter, by Mucha





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