ISSUE SIXTEEN, VOLUME TWO: NOVEMBER 2007

EDGE OF THE CIRCLE NEWSLETTER ISSUE SIXTEEN, VOLUME TWO: NOVEMBER 2007 Welcome to the 16th edition of 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. I've got great plans for this newsletter. Hopefully, as time goes by, it will only get bigger and better. Without further ado, welcome, and enjoy. Regards, Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler, Editrix 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 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 everything that you could want in a Magickal Pagan store. Open 7 days a week, Noon till" 9pm. Call: 206-PAN-1999 ** LOOKING FOR GIFTS FOR YULE? RAVEN'S SUGGESTIONS: We carry more than 150 tarot decks and oracles-- also, pendulums, scrying bowls and mirrors, Ouija boards, Coffee divination kits, Runes, I Ching Sets, plus books on all of the above and more. I daresay you'll be able to find whatever you'd like to buy for the Occultist in your life! ** NEW STUFF: New T-shirts are in! We are now carrying a line of shirts from Tara Graphics that bear the Seals of Solomon, including : the 2nd Pentacle of Venus, the 5th Pentacle of Mars, 2nd Pentacle of Jupiter, 3rd Pentacle of the Sun and the 5th Pentacle of Venus. We also have our infamous Baphomet and Vlad Tepes t-shirts in, some are also available in Baby Doll shirts. We also have St. Michael T-shirts available , both in regular short sleeve and Baby doll shirts. New Calendars are in! Get 'em before they go. We are also now carrying Lucky Mojo Spell Kits. They contain everything you need to do an authentic Hoodoo Spell. We carry the following Spell Kits: Fiery Wall of Protection Money Drawing Fast Luck Money Stay With Me Love Me Uncrossing Come To Me Lavender Love Attraction Real Estate Court Case ** NEW BOOKS Disciple's Guide to Ritual Magick by Frater Barrabbas Paperback: 332 pages Publisher: Megalithica Books (May 14, 2007) List Price: $22.00 Book Blurb: In 'The Disciple's Guide to Ritual Magick', Frater Barrabbas uses occult symbology of the past two centuries, mindful of all the latest developments in Integral Psychology and Philosophy. This book can take a student far beyond the rudimentary magickal practices of the dilettante, and help them to develop a spiritual and magickal discipline that furthers spiritual transformation and conscious evolution. It contains the knowledge necessary for acquiring a competent background in the art of ritual magick, and also a grimoire of magickal rituals and exercises necessary to build a fully workable magickal discipline. The grimoire of seven rituals, written with an occult context, is the Grail Mythos of the Western Mystery Tradition. Although everyone probably knows the stories about the Quest for the Holy Grail, King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table, there are powerful allegorical undercurrents and occult threads in these tales, that when realized, can become translated into life changing experiences for the magician. Frater Barrabbas has been working and teaching new forms of Magick for over 35 years, and assisted in starting a magickal lodge where this discipline was taught and practiced. The rituals in the grimoire are based on the rituals that were used by this order, whose lore is also modeled upon the Grail Mythos. This book provides a compelling and challenging first foundation for the practicing ritual magician that is necessary for the ultimate attainment of knowledge, fulfillment and wisdom through the revelation and gnosis of Magick. ** Þéodisc Geléafa "The Belief of the Tribe:": A Handbook on Germanic Heathenry and Theodish Belief by Swain Wodening Book Blurb: A book detailing the beliefs, practices, and mindset of Theodish Belief. Þéodisc Geléafa "The Belief of the Tribe" dispels many of the beliefs surrounding Theodish Belief, and details the reality. About the Author Swain Wodening has been a part of the Asatru movement for nearly 20 years. He has been a member of the Troth, and Asatru organization since 1989. He is also co-founder of the Miercinga Ríce, an organization dedicated to the reconstruction of Anglo-Saxon paganism. He has written numerous magazine articles for IDUNNA, THEOD, EALDRIHT BOC, and ASATRU TODAY. Currently, he is residing near Dallas, Texas with his wife Teresa, and two sons. Most recently he was made an Elder in the Troth. Paperback: 152 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (July 23, 2007) List Price: $16.99 ** Osun Osogbo: Sacred Places and Sacred People by Afolabi Kayode Paperback: 141 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (November 29, 2006) List Price: $21.50 Book Blurb: "This book unravels the mystery and sacredness of Orisa Osun which had hitherto been of concern to so many Afro - Americans that had been {will be} initiated into a cultic tradition which they know little or next to nothing about! Therefore, with hundreds of powerful pictures,this book also highlights all the Sacred Places and Sacred People attached to the benevolent living river goddess. It is a scholarly treatise on one of the most significant traditional deity in South Western Nigeria, namely,Osun Osogbo who has won for herself the appellation "A Lady of 10,000 names" - across the waters! The theme of the book portends a departure from all the available ones, which till date ,are mainly based and focused on fanciful myths of Osun and in most cases her annual festival at Osogbo. ** Teenage Witch's Book of Shadows:An Introduction to Sympathetic Magic by Anna De Benzelle , Mary Neasham Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Green Magic (March 1, 2002) List Price: $14.99 Book Blurb: A clearly written and engaging introduction to simple magical practices for teens. Witchcraft today uses old Pagan traditions to connect with the Divine spirit, emphasizing • reverence for Mother Nature • self-empowerment • healing Young people learn to harmonize their inner selves with the power of the natural world. This enlightened and rewarding path offers tools for self-empowerment and self-knowledge. Chapters cover Tarot & Crystals, Moon Magic, Divination , Herbs, Oils and Potions, Sacred Spaces, and Magical Feasting. About the Author Anna de Benzelle and Mary Neasham live deep in the Suffolk countryside, a remote part of England steeped in traditional lore, where they've spent many years studying the magical arts. Both are mothers of teenage daughters. ** Our Troth: Vol. 2: Living the Troth by Kveldulf Gundarsson Paperback: 598 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 7, 2007) List Price: $27.99 Book Blurb: Our Troth is the single most comprehensive book available on the reborn religion of Heathenry -- the pre-Christian religion of the Germanic peoples. First published in 1993 but out of print for years, Our Troth is back in print, featuring updates and additions from its original compiler, Kveldulf Gundarsson, and from many other Heathen writers, all edited by well-known author Diana L. Paxson. Volume 2 covers the Heathen holy year, lore and rites for the major holidays, and ways to work Heathenry into every facet of life. It includes an extensive glossary and reading list for further study. ** Tarot Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (November 1, 2007) List Price: $16.95 Book Blurb: In this groundbreaking book, Ly de Angeles shares her own original ideas on the nature of prophecy and using tarot to predict the future. Exploring quantum physics, free will, and fate, de Angeles poses a bold new theory, suggesting tarot can impact your reality . . . and your future. She also introduces Time, the god of tarot, and reveals insightful correlations between tarot and the Kabbalah Tree of Life, astrology, and the four elements. Sprinkled throughout are exercises and personal case histories that illuminate these complex ideas. Ly de Angeles also offers guidance for putting theory into practice, along with card interpretations and sample spreads. Theres advice for handling the deck, timing events, and giving accurate readings. Also included are tips for going professional: setting up a space, maintaining confidentiality, reading objectively and responsibly, communicating bad news, staying safe, avoiding burnout, and much more. ** The Place of Enchantment: British Occultism and the Culture of the Modern by Alex Owen Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; New Ed edition (March 1, 2007) List Price: $22.50 Book Blurb: By the end of the nineteenth century, Victorians were seeking rational explanations for the world in which they lived. The radical ideas of Charles Darwin had shaken traditional religious beliefs. Sigmund Freud was developing his innovative models of the conscious and unconscious mind. And anthropologist James George Frazer was subjecting magic, myth, and ritual to systematic inquiry. Why, then, in this quintessentially modern moment, did late-Victorian and Edwardian men and women become absorbed by metaphysical quests, heterodox spiritual encounters, and occult experimentation? In answering this question for the first time, The Place of Enchantment breaks new ground in its consideration of the role of occultism in British culture prior to World War I. Rescuing occultism from its status as an "irrational indulgence" and situating it at the center of British intellectual life, Owen argues that an involvement with the occult was a leitmotif of the intellectual avant-garde. Carefully placing a serious engagement with esotericism squarely alongside revolutionary understandings of rationality and consciousness, Owen demonstrates how a newly psychologized magic operated in conjunction with the developing patterns of modern life. She details such fascinating examples of occult practice as the sex magic of Aleister Crowley, the pharmacological experimentation of W. B. Yeats, and complex forms of astral clairvoyance as taught in secret and hierarchical magical societies like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Through a remarkable blend of theoretical discussion and intellectual history, Owen has produced a work that moves far beyond a consideration of occultists and their world. Bearing directly on our understanding of modernity, her conclusions will force us to rethink the place of the irrational in modern culture. ** The Secrets of the Lenormand Oracle by Sylvie Steinbach (Author) Paperback: 252 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 10, 2007) List Price: $20.50 Book Blurb: 'The Secrets of the Lenormand Oracle' provides readers with indispensable contemporary guidelines to easily understand the 36 little cards. With a new intuitive "no lay out" interpretation system, beginners can now easily access the divination power of the deck. This modern and detailed guide answers all your questions regarding "how to" perform amzingly accurate readings. Through the revelation of the book's 7 secrets, readers can learn how to predict matters of love, career, money and past lives in a professional manner. Whether you are new to the oracle or an experienced Lenormand devotee, this instant classic encompasses all the tools required to master these esoteric cards in order to unveil the future. About the Author A French native, Sylvie Steinbach originates from a third generation of acclaimed European Seers and Freemasons. Sylvie's abilities to foresee situations came about when she was a child. Her esoteric education started early, and her expertise with the Lenormand deck encompasses over 30 years of experience. While Sylvie Steinbach has always been celebrated as a gifted psychic, she has also come into her own as a leading karmic astrologer and life coach. Her successful practice in Los Angeles California is the one of the best kept secrets of Hollywood's rich and famous. ** Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie Paperback: 312 pages Publisher: Megalithica Books (July 31, 2007) List Price: $21.88 Book Blurb: Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom is a breakthrough in ogam divination and magical studies. Rather than working from the commonly known tree alphabet paradigm, Erynn Rowan Laurie takes us back to the roots of each letter's name, exploring its meanings in the context of Gaelic language and culture. Like the Norse runes, each letter is associated with an object or a concept -- "sulfur", "a bar of metal", "terror". These letters are deeply enmeshed in a web of meaning both cultural and spiritual, lending power and weight to their symbolism. With two decades of experience with the ogam and over thirty years of working with divination, Erynn offers insights into the many profound meanings hidden in the ogam letters and their lore. She explains each letter in context and shows how to expand the system in new and innovative ways while acknowledging and maintaining respect for ogam's traditional language and culture. In this book, you will find ways to use the ogam for divination, ideas on incorporating ogam into ritual, discussions of how ogam relates to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, and instructions for creating your own set of ogam feda or letters for your personal use. ** BOOKS FOR KIDS Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome (Kid's Guide series) by Laurie Carlson Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 200 pages Publisher: Chicago Review Press (July 1, 1998) List Price: $14.95 Book Blurb: Travel back in time to see what life was like in ancient Greece and Rome while having fun with hands-on activities such as making a star gazer; chiseling a clay tablet; weaving Roman sandals; making a Greek mosaic; creating Roman jewelry; throwing Greek pottery; casting a vote in a Roman-style election; and much more. Learn how these civilizations contributed to our present-day world by participating in art, math, cooking, science, and geography activities. Interesting facts and trivia are included throughout. Helpful illustrations explain project steps. About the Author Laurie Carlson is the author of Colonial Kids, Westward Ho!, More Than Moccasins, Green Thumbs, and Kids Camp! She has taught preschool, primary grades, and children’s art classes. ** Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide by Marian Broida Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 208 pages List Price: $16.95 Book Blurb: Want to speak Hittite? Hold out a glass and ask for “wa-tar.” This unique activity book for children ages nine and up shows what life was like among the Nubians, Mesopotamians, Hittites, and their neighbors the Egyptians from around 3100 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one kingdom, to the death of Queen Cleopatra under the Romans, in 30 B.C. Projects such as building a Nubian irrigation machine, creating a Mesopotamian cylinder seal out of clay, making kilts like those worn by Egyptian boys and men, and writing in Hittite cuneiform help young readers to connect with these ancient cultures and see how profoundly they have influenced our own. ** CALENDAR: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER November 7th : Shamanic Meetup Wednesdays: November 14th, : Introduction to the Tarot : Class $15.00 per night 7-9PM Class continues on the 21st and the 28th. Instructor: MollyB. November 25th: Reading and Signing: Children's Book “Wheel of the Year” by Granny Gaia Call for more information. DECEMBER: December 1st: Lupa December 5th: Shaman Meetup December 8th : Intro to VouDou (Free) 4PM--6PM December 12th : The Underworld: a Lecture by Damian Murphy ** ONGOING: HOLY WELL CIRCLE Open Circle, Wiccan Meets at the Edge every Sunday from 5PM -8PM cybra@earthlink.net Subject Line: Holy Well ** SERVICES AVAILABLE AT EDGE OF THE CIRCLE BOOKS TAROT READINGS /SPIRITUAL ADVICE UnCommonSense Tarot Tarot readings Erica (Raven) Branch-Butler Please inquire about Tarot Parties, classes and other events Available every day except Wednesdays, 12:30-8.30PM. ** CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Edge of the Circle Newsletter is looking for writers and artists! Our Focus has been on the Pagan community, Sabbatic Witchcraft, Hoodoo, Western Ceremonial Magic, African Traditional Religions, Asatru and Heathenry, Wicca, Celtic Paganism and more obscure aspects of the Occult. If you have an article or art to share, please email golanv1@yahoo.com with "Newsletter" in the subject line. Please send only original material. All Copyrighted material will be honored and credited to/as the property of the original writer. ** This concludes our Newsletter for this month. Look for us again on the first of December. Sincerely, Raven