A recent Associated Press poll article quoted figures to the effect that 10 percent of the population of the United States still believes, erroneously, that Barak Obama is a Muslim, rather than a Christian – even after all the publicity the remarks from his pastor received. The article broke this down over how many whites vs. how many blacks believe this lie; how many Republicans vs. how many Democrats, etc. The overarching message seems to be that some people are willing to say anything to slander an opponent, are willing to take advantage of and even stoke any vile prejudice, to accomplish their goals. No matter who gets hurt. Irregardless of the truth.

It also shows that the people most likely and indeed most willing to believe a hateful lie are just those people who don’t like the person being lied about. Don’t like your neighbor? Make up a nasty story and spread it to the others in your neighborhood. Those who already don’t like the person in question will grab at that lie like a life preserver, just one more justification for their own horrible opinion. Is it true? Who cares? They’d rather have the excuse so they can feel better about their own vile hatred. Troubled by a popular opponent who is winning a competition? Find the strongest, most popular prejudice you can exploit and then label your opponent with it. Sit back and watch the feeding frenzy as the people who already hated him try to chew him up and spit him out using the new weapon you’ve handed them.

Of course, none of this even begins to broach the specific prejudice in question, against Muslims. There is always something. Whether the fear being exploited is of someone’s color, or religion, or gender, or sexual orientation, there is always some group that is demonized by a significant portion of the populace. All anyone has to do is find what that bit of meat is, infuse it with the scent of the target, and then throw it to the dogs and watch the vicious attacks begin.

So why are 10% of the population willing to believe, in the face of truth being shouted from the mountaintops and all over the national media, that Barak Obama is a Muslim, and presumably hate him even more than they do already because of that belief? Is it because he’s black, and some people believe that blacks are more likely to be Muslim because of Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, or Muhammad Ali? Is it because of his African name? And why is it such a horrible thing to believe of him in the first place?

We have become a nation that equates a particular religion with violence, hatred and anti-American sentiment. In the past we accused atheists of the same things, and in the future it will probably be pagans or some other belief system. For a nation that is supposed to champion freedom of religion, we are atrociously bigoted and hateful. And it is shameful. We are supposed to be better than this, people! And above all, we are supposed to value truth, and not be so gullible as to glom on to any and every lie that gives us another excuse to stoke our petty, mean-spirited hatreds. Grow the f*ck up!

Tags: Christianity, Current Events, Government, Politics, Religion, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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I’ve now got an ebay store set up for Persephone’s Haven. I’m still only selling my old miscellaneous books, thus far, but I’ll be adding some Persephone’s Haven merchandise soon. I’m also working on getting the web pages set up to enable me to offer “On the Care and Feeding of Spirits” as an ebook, at ebay and at my store website. As soon as that’s ready I’ll let everyone know.

I’ve added a lot more books, music, and some movies to my Amazon store, and have lots more to add as time goes on; the page is working through the Persephone’s Haven site, above, and also through this link.

We now have an Amazon Associates store set up here at CroneSeraphim, as well.

Event Update:

The Grand Opening festivities for Little Fish Huge Pond  are this Saturday night, March 29. I’ll be dancing around 7 pm; there will be a live band starting to play around 8 or 9. The owner is full of extremely creative, eclectic, and fun ideas for the venue. It will be a very Bohemian hang out and I’m looking forward to lots of great times there with all our different activities.

Our next Sanford Vampire and Shadowlore Meet Up  is Friday, April 4, at 7 pm. The topic is “energy manipulation.” I uploaded a file containing links to energy related books and articles to the files section  as reading material, so people can come to the meeting with questions and comments. I’m also trying to arrange a conference call so that out of state members who can’t otherwise attend will be able to participate over the phone or computer. If I can get it set up I will post details.

The circle casting clinic is starting a week from this Sunday, on April 6 at 1 pm in Sanford, at Little Fish, Huge Pond . The clinic will train people to take over from Kim as monthly moon circle facilitators and will be held on the first Sunday of each month from 1-3 pm. The Theatrical Techniques for Ritual course will start the same date at 3:15 pm, at the same location in Sanford, immediately after the first clinic and every Sunday thereafter for 8 weeks, from 3:15-5:15. You can email me for details on either of these classes.

Sherri’s Thelema Meet Up  is going strong. The last meeting discussed “Liber CCVII,” an explanation of the four categories of thelemic documents and texts. The next meet up is Sunday, April 27 at 11 am and will be discussing “Liber OZ” by Aleister Crowley. You can download these and many more documents here.

Finally, my friends and I will not be able to make it to Dragon Con this year. Hotels are sold out, our ride got sick and had to use up her time off, etc., etc. Maybe next year.

As any other news and updates become available I will post them in my blogs. BB, Vivienne

Tags: General, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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From ACLU [aclu@aclu.org]:  “We all know how much damage the Bush administration has done to the Constitution and the rule of law. But, just how long we allow their lawlessness and affronts to the Constitution to live on is up to us. Will we accept the damage that has been done and live with the consequences? Or will we act with energy and conviction to restore our constitutional rights?Acting with energy and conviction is what the ACLU 2008 Membership Conference  is all about.That’s why I’d like to invite you to this year’s conference to get inspired, energized and organized to fight for our Constitution.It is up to us to restore our civil liberties and the ACLU 2008 Membership Conference  is a chance for all of us who care about liberty, equality and justice in America today to come together as concerned activists. At the conference you’ll meet scholars, writers, judges, and elected officials; learn about the most pressing civil liberties issues of the day and join other members like yourself to lobby Congress and defend our most fundamental freedoms.If you are ready to stand up for the kind of America you want to live in, the ACLU 2008 Membership Conference is the place for you.“I came here because I needed to be among a group of people who care about the things about which I care and to get re-energized to protect our democracy from the abuse of our own government.” –Carol Mehlman, 2006 ACLU Membership Conference participant from Tampa, Florida.As in past conferences, you can expect to hear from a wide variety of respected experts on civil liberties, as well as from ACLU clients who will tell their stories. We have just confirmed some inspiring new speakers, including former South African Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson, “literary grandmaster” Ariel Dorfman, Retired U.S. Navy Admiral John Hutson, and U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David H. Souter.The ACLU Membership Conference is for everyone who is ready to bring an end to our government’s abuse of power and restore our Constitutional values and heritage. Mark your calendar for June 8 - 10, 2008 to be in Washington, D.C. to make your voice heard — and make a difference.I hope to see you there! Learn more and register now.”

Tags: Uncategorized by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Here at CroneSeraphim we strive to bring civil rights news items to your attention that might not be covered by main stream media. But anyone who has read our “about us” page  or our bios knows that we are not just pundits, we are Pagan pundits. One of our main goals is to share with other Wiccans and Pagans some of the magickal practices we have found useful to positively affect our world.

The main political problem that seems to be on everyone’s mind right now is the Presidential election, particularly the heavily contested democratic primary. However, the spell I suggest here will work equally well for the general election, once the democratic nominee has been selected. It is not meant to take the place of active participation in the mundane political process, but rather to provide a spiritual supplement that will boost the effectiveness of those efforts, as well as provide a psychological boost to help keep you fighting for what you believe.

I’m going to assume that the majority of you reading this have not only made up your minds who you support in the democratic primary, but are either strongly in favor of one candidate or strongly opposed to the other (particularly if you are planning to vote for John McCain in the general election). There has been a lot of bad press directed at all three candidates, but particularly at Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton. The following is a spell from the hoodoo tradition, designed to send negativity back whence it came while positively supporting your candidate.

For this spell you will need:

1. a special candle poured with the bottom half black and the top half white (available at occult supply shops that offer hoodoo equipment and supplies);

2. a knife sharp enough to carve and shape the candle;

3. a mirror you can burn the candle on;

4. optional: “reversible” oil, which should be available at the same place you find the candle;

5. matches or a lighter to light the candle with.

[Read more →]

Tags: Current Events, Government, Magic, Paganism, Politics, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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 Part 1:

 Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Tags: Current Events, Politics, Religion, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Just a few items from this week’s news that I didn’t have a chance to cover in depth:

Bush vetoes a bill that would make torture illegal:

The Guardian

MSNBC

This one really disgusts me, as it should all of us!

***
Pelosi follows through on her threat to file a civil suit to enforce the contempt of Congress charges against Harriet Myers and Josh Bolton, and the Congressional subpoenas.  See my earlier post for the background.

House Speaker’s Blog

***
An atheist organization in Nepal has been instrumental in the demise of the monarchy there.  The God-King will be replaced with a democracy, and the atheist group is participating in an interim coalition government during the transition.

Transcript of NPR’s story
***
Buddhists in Tibet have been participating in massive demonstrations this week to protest Chinese oppression.

NPR story

Have a good week everyone, and try to avoid that flu that’s been going around!

BB,
Vivienne

Tags: Current Events, Government, Paganism, Politics, Religion, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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This morning (Wednesday, March 12, 2008) NPR aired a story that salvia divinorum may soon be made illegal. For those of you who don’t know what salvia is, it’s a form of sage that has some psychoactive effects. Salvia is currently an uncontrolled substance, because its chemical makeup and effects are too dissimilar to drugs that are already banned — the law says that a drug has to be similar to a drug already on a particular schedule or class of illicit substances, in order to be included in that list. However, a substance can be added to this list based on analysis of 8 factors: 

• Actual and potential for abuse
• Pharmacology
• Other current scientific knowledge
• History and current pattern of abuse
• Scope, duration, and significance of abuse
• Public health risk
• Psychic or physiological dependence liability
• If an immediate precursor of a controlled substance

….  Based on the results of the analysis, the DEA may recommend that Salvia divinorum be scheduled as a controlled substance.

Salvia has been used by shamans and other spiritual seekers for “out of body” experiences and similar meditative practices. It does not have a market as a social drug, because the mental states it creates in the user are not conducive to social interaction, but rather, introspection. Just as with alcohol or tobacco, the user must act responsibly, and know enough not drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of any mind altering substance. However, NPR is reporting suicides that have supposedly been linked to salvia, thus causing a renewed push for criminalization.

Salvia divinorum is currently illegal in several states in America and in many countries around the world, and more states are jumping on the banning bandwagon every day. The DEA considers it “a drug of concern.” “The majority of the pending legislation would add the plant ‘Salvia divinorum’ to the states’ lists of controlled substances.”

In G. Pagan’s March 12, 2007 bill analysis of California AB259, he quotes information that

The effects produced by Salvia divinorum are not comparable to any other effects produced by the other psychoactive substances (i.e., peyote, psilocybin, LSD, etc.). This also includes variables of the user, such as body weight, sensitivity, strength, and dose taken and method used. The effects can range from subtle to extremely strong, causing an individual to have out-of-body experiences and create a real potential for physical danger to oneself and others.

Pagan’s analysis also discusses the fact that prisons are already overflowing because so many people are being incarcerated on drug charges because of substances that are already banned.

Salvia’s reputation suffers from “the current lack of laboratory and clinical research into its potential therapeutic properties.” So of course, rather than do responsible research, fear mongers are instead gunning to criminalize it so they can seize yet more control over their “subjects” — otherwise known as American citizens. Never mind that there are freedom of religion issues, that salvia “was used for both medicinal and religious purposes by the Mazatec Indians in Oaxaca well before the arrival of European colonial powers” and that it is currently in use by modern day shamans pursuing that freedom of religion. Never mind that we are supposed to have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” in this country; if the pharmaceutical companies can’t charge an arm and a leg to sell us chemical happiness, Whhhhyyyy, it’s a danger to society! Ban it! Burn it! Throw the witches in prison! Never mind that the prisons are already stuffed to the gills, that just means more money for the companies that build prisons and hire out guards and supply weapons!

“Salvia divinorum is a valuable medicinal herb that is rarely abused…. It is not habit-forming, not addictive, and does not present a significant risk to public health or safety. Because it is a powerful consciousness-altering herb, some regulation of sales is sensible and appropriate, but criminalizing possession certainly is not.”

So why can’t we use common sense, people? Why is that so frikkin hard????

Tags: Current Events, Government, Morals, Paganism, Science and Technology by Vivienne D'Avalon
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We here at Kentuckyspace value your privacy. This is why when you sign up you must give your legal name, address, and valid electronic mail address as a precondition of using the interactive service at Kentuckyspace. Not only that but every time you post your full legal name will be shown as the author. That way your boss can quickly find out about your late night drinking, your spouse can see that you are questioning the relationship, and generally with the magic of Google every secret that you feel should be safe, hidden behind the anonymity of the internet, will be just a click away. Kentuckyspace is brought to you by Tim Couch (R-Hyden), a Kentucky state representative who feels that forcing people to post under their real identity, instead of assumed aliases or anonymously, will prevent “online bullying.” Online bullying is a a matter of protecting the children from the dangers of the internet and in no way is it helping the government track you better online.

So what if the site wishes to keep their visitors information private? They can, if they are willing to fork over $500 for the first offense (i.e. first person to post not using their legal name), and $1000 for each subsequent time.

Thankfully this only effects people doing business in Kentucky so there goes any hope of a good server location. Even though this is only affecting one state, if this bill passes, think of what this might cause. You give the government a cookie, and they’ll want illegal wiretaps….

The Bill- HB 775
Tim Couch’s official web page
Tim Couch’s contact information
Local News Story from WTVQ-TV/DT - Action News 36

-Magus-

Tags: Current Events, Government, Magus Dethen, Politics, Science and Technology by Magus Dethen
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Two days ago, on Tuesday, March 5, 2008, two towns in Vermont (Brattleboro and Marlboro) voted to indict President Bush and Vice President Cheney for their numerous violations of the United States Constitution, and to arrest Bush or Cheney if they come within city limits. Once arrested, they may be extradited for prosecution.

On January 25, 2008, Brattleboro’s Selectboard first voted to accept the petition and put it on the March ballot. They were unprepared for the vitriolic responses they got when the Drudge report disseminated the news to a wide audience. The text of the ballot question read:

Shall the Selectboard instruct the Town Attorney to draft indictments against President Bush and Vice President Cheney for crimes against our Constitution, and publish said indictments for consideration by other authorities and shall it be the law of the Town of Brattleboro that the Brattleboro Police, pursuant to the above-mentioned indictments, arrest and detain George Bush and Richard Cheney in Brattleboro if they are not duly impeached, and prosecute or extradite them to other authorities that may reasonably contend to prosecute them?The author of the petition says “It is largely [a] symbolic” gesture, as Brattleboro officials do not apparently have the power to arrest the President or Vice President of the United States. He hopes, however, that Bush and Cheney will be impeached before it ever comes to that. “Voters interviewed after casting ballots said they saw the article as an opportunity to express their frustration over the war in Iraq and Bush’s tenure in general,” says the USA Today article. The town issued the following statement at its website: On January 25 the Town Clerk’s office received a petition from Brattleboro resident Kurt Daims.  Per Town Charter, a petition containing signatures from 5% of Brattleboro voters can be placed on the ballot for a Town-wide vote.  Mr. Daims’ petition did contain the required number of signatures.  At a meeting on January 25, the Brattleboro Selectboard voted 3-2 to place the petition on the ballot.  Reasons given by Board members voting in the affirmative centered on the belief that if a petition contained the required signatures, the voters should have the opportunity to vote on the matter. Reasons given by Board members voting on the dissent centered on the belief that articles outside the scope and authority of the Town should not go before the voters of the Town.  The Brattleboro Town Attorney has stated that the petition has no legal standing, as the Town Attorney has no authority to write an indictment and the Town Police Department has no authority to attempt an arrest of the President of the United States.Other Vermont towns voted last year to impeach both Bush and Cheney. The Newfane, VT resident responsible for the impeachment push supported Tuesday’s vote, comparing the drafters to the founding fathers and saying their action was imbued with the same “moral authority.”The impeachment resolution read: Whereas George W. Bush has:1. Misled the nation about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction;2. Misled the nation about ties between Iraq and Al Quaeda;3. Used these falsehoods to lead our nation into war unsupported by international law;

4. Not told the truth about American policy with respect to the use of torture; and

5. Has directed the government to engage in domestic spying, in direct contravention of U.S. law.

Therefore, the voters of the town of Newfane ask that our representative to the U.S. House of Representatives file articles of impeachment to remove him from office.

Though local police officers may not have the authority to arrest a sitting President, state legislatures in America are empowered to send impeachment resolutions to Congress. Rep. Bernie Sanders(Ind) of Vermont said at the time it was “impractical to talk about impeachment” because of the Republican-controlled Congress. Of course, that is no longer the case, but nevertheless nothing has been accomplished on the impeachment issue. Tuesday’s vote is clearly an expression of Vermont’s, and the country’s, frustration.

Tags: Current Events, Government, Politics, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Gary Gygax — a man whose name is linked to fantasy in gamers’ minds as much as Tolkien is, has passed on to the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, the Blessed Fields of Elysium, or the Olympian Glades of Arborea (depending on his alignment). Gygax was the co-creator of the legendary role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons™. Many have said that D&D leads kids to the devil and paganism (for proof look no further than our good friend Chick and his track Dark Dungeons) but then I have always argued that paganism can lead to D&D.

The reason that I come before you is to tell a tale of a game that brought many people together who might not otherwise have found each other. We need to remember the person who was instrumental in that. I remember fondly my first rolls to build a character and the many adventures I have been part of — with my old friends, and with friends that I gained by just rolling some dice. So whether you have never picked up a d20 in your life, or you just finished battling the tarrasque, I ask that you remember a man that has brought so many people together around a table to roll dice, to create worlds, to be with friends, to laugh, to cry, and to be themselves. And being yourself is sometimes is the hardest thing to do.
-Magus-

Tags: Current Events, Entertainment, Magus Dethen by Magus Dethen
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Tags: Current Events, Government, Religion, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Theatrical Techniques for Ritual
With Vivienne D’Avalon
Every Sunday for 8 weeks, from 3:15-5:15 pm
Starting Sunday, April 6, 2008
at:

Little Fish, Huge Pond
309 E. 1st St.
Sanford, FL 32771
Ph: 407-488-5331

Price: $15/class, or $100 in advance for the full 8 week course – a more than 15% discount
Minimum of 3 reservations required per class.
Reservations can be made at 407-484-2285.

This class will teach techniques used by actors and other performers that are useful for intensifying magickal work and performing effective and powerful public rituals. Anyone at any level of knowledge, skill, and experience will walk away from this class with a whole new arsenal of tools and skills. Lessons will include: Breathing and vocal exercises; projection and enunciation; movement, posture, and finding character center; visualizing with 5 senses; intention; focus; improvisation; script analyses; makeup and costume; hair and jewelry; props and charging ritual tools; working with masks; energy work; grounding and centering; chakras and auras; opening intuition; working with spirit guides; adopting personas, archetypes and roles; astral body work, astral travel, and god form assumption; raising and storing power; elements of ritual; and uses of music and dance. As a final exam students will create and perform a full ritual.

Students taking the Circle Casting Clinic with myself and Kim Wade will find this course to be an excellent complement and supplement. Students paying for the full Clinic year in advance will be given a further 10% discount coupon off the advance price for this course.

***

Vivienne D’Avalon has a degree in Music and Theatre from Hunter College, CUNY, and acted for many years in New York City. She has performed most recently as a gypsy dancer at the Gypsy Heritage Festival and here at the opening of Little Fish, Huge Pond. Vivienne has taught at many venues throughout central Florida, and has served as High Priestess at initiations and several public and private rituals. She is the author of “On the Care and Feeding of Spirits” and “The Patriot’s Spell Book,” and runs Persephone’s Haven, a business serving Goths, Pagans, and all others who walk between worlds. She will be co-teaching a monthly clinic on Circle Casting with Kim Wade for 1 year, at this same location, also starting Sunday, April 6, immediately before this class from 1 – 3 pm. You can make reservations for the Clinic at 407-895-0580. You can contact Vivienne at Vivienne@persephoneshaven.com or call to make reservations for this class at 407-484-2285.

Tags: Magic, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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Circle Casting Clinic
with Kim Wade and Vivienne D’Avalon
First Sunday of every month, from 1-3 pm, for one year
Starting Sunday, April 6, 2008
at:

Little Fish, Huge Pond
309 E. 1st St.
Sanford, FL 32771
Ph: 407-488-5331
Price: $15/month, or $125 in advance for the year, a 30% discount;
Minimum of 5 reservations required per class.
Reservations can be made at 407-895-0580.

This clinic will teach the elements of circle casting and ritual work, and train people in the community to take over facilitating the twice monthly moon circles at Avalon. No matter your level of knowledge, skill, or experience, you will leave this Clinic with the confidence to run any ritual.

Students will be expected to attend at least one circle per quarter. These should include 1 Sabbat, 1 full moon Esbat, and 2 dark moon Esbats for the year, student’s choice; students will start facilitating in September.

Our first class we will make introductions and give the circle and sabbat schedules for the next three months; outline the topics to be covered over the course of the year; discuss the Wheel of the Year and the names and times of the full moons; discuss the differences between full and new moon Esbats; go over Imbolc; and cover altar set up.
***

Kim Wade has been facilitating the moon circles twice a month at Avalon for over a year. She has also organized and presided at countless sabbat rituals over the years. Kim is a professional psychic and tarot reader who runs Avalon’s Psychic Sundays, and has been teaching classes on numerous subjects at Avalon for many years. You can contact her at blulibra9@aol.com.

Vivienne D’Avalon has taught at many venues throughout central Florida. She has served as High Priestess at initiations and several public and private rituals. Vivienne is the author of “On the Care and Feeding of Spirits” and “The Patriot’s Spell Book,” and runs Persephone’s Haven, a business serving Goths, Pagans, and all others who walk between worlds. She will be teaching an 8 week course in Theatrical Techniques for Ritual, at this same location, starting Sunday, April 6, immediately after the Clinic. Advance purchase for the Clinic for the year will also come with a coupon for $10 off the advance purchase price of this class. You can contact her at Vivienne@persephoneshaven.com or call to make reservations at 407-484-2285.

Tags: Magic, Paganism, Vivienne D'Avalon by Vivienne D'Avalon
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