This is the theme of the 33rd Annual Pan Pagan Festival put on by the Midwest Pagan Council which will be held near Knox, IN August 5th to the 9th, 2009.

 You are cordially invited to join us as we celebrate Community at our gathering. If you have never attended a Pan Pagan Festival or have not made it to Pan in the last 3 years, please use this code: PPF33WV09 to get $5 off of your Pre-Registration or On-Site rate. Just write it on the form you can download from our website or bring the code with you if you plan on registering On-Site.

 For those unfamiliar with Pan Pagan, it is the oldest continuous National outdoor gathering in the Midwest. Both Pagan Spirit Gathering put on by Circle and Chrysalis Moon Festival owe their start to Pan Pagan as they both evolved from it and use its concepts.

 We open on Wednesday with only the Opening Ritual scheduled so that people can set up their campsite and enjoy the area without trying to run to make a program/event.

 Thursday through Sunday we have 3 program sites where programs can be held three times a day. All the programs are put on by attendees who desire to share their knowledge with others through love....no one is paid for their presentation, though as a partial compensation they are excluded from having to do two hours of service. We also have Childrens programing for the young folks.

 Thursday night the MPC invites all to come to our Meet & Greet party. We provide a limited amount of beer, wine, soft drinks, and munchies and everyone get to meet everyone. After the introductions have gone down, you can walk the candle lit Labyrinth under the stars.
 Friday night those with talent have a chance to entertain one and all at the Follies.
 Saturday afternoon the MPC puts on its acclaimed FEAST!!!! Can you say roast pig stuffed with polish & sauerkraut?! (Yes we have vegetarian fare as well prepared by a vegetarian. No one goes away hungry.) After the Feast we have the Main Ritual focusing on our theme & Bonfire.
 Sunday about noon we have the Closing Ritual.

 All of the above including your tent space costs only $70 PreReg per adult, $20 per child 5-13 y/o. We have a Family Plan of only $160 for those with 4 or more children. AND after you put in your 2 hours of service you can redeem you work voucher for a $10 refund!!! (Note: We do have RV sites with water & electric available for an additional charge.)

 For more information or to print out a Registration From please visit
 www.midwestpagancouncil.org

ps: There is no charge for Merchants to sell at PPF, but we do limit the total number of spaces to 14. The early Merchant gets the Spot.

        

There are times that I wish my memory was as good as my computer memory! I mean even with lists upon lists I seem to forget what I want to do or post.

June's issue will be a little late. Not by much but by maybe one or two days only. This was supposed to be posted last week but, and I hate using a but, I forgot to post. I thought I did then I looked. Much to my dismay I had not.

July's issue is already in the making. Actually this issue will be mailed out early as the office will be closed for two weeks. Yes, two weeks. With holidays and family activities it was decided that this year to shut down for this time and everyone is working from their homes!

Emails will be answered there just will not be anyone 'in' office.

        

Things have been so crazy here. I do not know if it is summer or just us. But things like the online book reviews are back logged-BIG TIME! We just have not had the time to post any of the great books that we have ready to go!

We are keeping every part of all our body parts crossed that this problem will be solved and they will all be posted sometime this week.

There are three that are super good that we want to share with our readers. Look for those to be posted! Pinkie swear they will be!

        

Every once in awhile someone will come to you and begin talking about what divination techniques they use. Whether it be tarot, pendulum, I-Ching or runes they have become attached to what they are doing.

Now personally I do the Tarot, Pendulum and African Cowry shells. I also use bones as well but that is another story for another day. I love doing all three but I know that they are only there as a help to lead me to something that I may or may not being seeing. A tool, so to speak as a hammer is to the carpenter. Only used when needed. Not for every waking moment.

There are times when people fall into the trap of letting the tool take over their lives. Reminding me of those people that are obsessed by those tv deals and keep buying and buying. The same thing applies. The person will keep using and using the tools for everything. I mean even to what time they should get up.

This is wrong. They are there to help not to lean on as a crutch. What happens when they rely completely on the tools? It takes over and their intuition begins to slowly get lost to the point that they may not even have any.

They have lost all inner power to rely upon their own thoughts and behavior. When this happens it is time to put those tools away. I mean really. How can a card, a rune or a stick take over our lives so completely? It boggles my little mind that is for sure.

Intervention is needed by friends and groups. Step up and voice your concerns before it is to late. Put the tools away soon until you can handle it.

        

Is it me or is summer the time when people go completely nuts about loosing weight? Trying one fad diet after another yet finding that sometimes it is not so easy to loose those extra pounds. Mixing diet and exercise is like this compulsion that has to be done.

If the diet they are on does not work the next thing is moving on to diet pills in order to stop hunger. Instead of every summer diving into all those new and sometimes harmful ways of loosing weight how about taking the time to eat right all year round?

Keep on a good exercise regime and eat right all year round instead of waiting till June to go crazy and loose weight in an unhealthy manner.

        

One thing that is running wild all over the place and that is that schools are out or nearly out. I know that we are now officially on summer vacation here. I have to admit that so far there has been a little hitch in the come along. My youngest has already thrown himself on the couch proclaiming the 'There is nothing to do' woes. Now, come on I told him, this is day 2!

What to do? The one thing that we did do and that was to go shopping for his new equestrian apparel that he needs for his summer riding classes. With that finished that evening weary but satisfied with our purchases, I laid my head down and asked my deities to please spar me, at least until the last two weeks of their vacations.

Waking up all was fine and he was out and about doing what they do. Riding bikes and playing basketball. It has now been a week and all is good!

I am convinced my small request was answered!

        

We are always getting sent books or book review offers for the publication. One thing that we do require of course is that for a review we must have the physical book in hand. We do not blindly tell our readers about a book unless we have read it.

Why we do this is for many reasons but in a nut shell you might have the most marvelous book in the world to you but to the general public it just might not be that good. Also if we do not read it how can we say with all honesty that this is a good or even bad book?

We do not advertise for authors blindly. This is something that over the years we have learned by trial and error. Sending your book in assures that it will be read and reviewed. Sending us notices that it has hit the book market will not be included in the publication if we do not have book in hand.

Now, this may same harsh but would you go out on the greens with studying or using your golf swing training aids? No you would not! It is the same as a blind notice or review. It is just not done by us.

        

Pagan Spirit Gathering
June 14-21, 2009 at Camp Zoe in Missouri

Hundreds of Pagans from across the United States and elsewhere are preparing for this year's 29th national Pagan Spirit Gathering, June 14-21 at Camp Zoe, near Salem, Missouri.

PSG 2009 includes more than 250 workshops, rituals, concerts, and other program activities.
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg/proposals/psgview.php3

This year's featured authors include Margot Adler, Ellen Dugan, Patrick McCollum, Joyce & River Higginbotham, Joanna Powell Colbert, Lydia Crabtree, Sparky T. Rabbit, Selena Fox, and others.  Featured musicians include Coyote Run, Pagee Go Go, Sona, Craig Olson, BellaWyck, Elvendrums, One Hat Band, and more.  The gathering also features activities for children, tweens, teens, and adults, plus the Pagan Leadership Institute with specialized training for Pagan priestesses and priests of many paths.  In addition, there will be a magical marketplace with artisans & other vendors from across the country.

Those interested in being part of this year's Pagan Spirit Gathering should register right away.
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg/onlineregistration/

Registration by POSTAL MAIL closes on Thursday, June 4.
Note that ON-LINE Registration has been extended to June 8!  Register by June 4 for current rates.

MORE INFO about the Pagan Spirit Gathering:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg
PSG, Circle Sanctuary, PO Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507 USA; (608) 924-2216.
psg@circlesanctuary.org

        

Have you ever noticed that people will talk about colon cleansing at gatherings? Personally I find it a little crude but they will talk about it like it is a normal thing much like going to the store. Gabbing about this method or that method. Whatever!

There are many things that one can do for this without breaking the bank. Such as using flax seed. Grinding this up and placing in other foods that you eat. Try it in your morning cereal and see how well it will work. It is natural and healthy.

I have also heard of taking epsom salt with some warm water. Guess that works pretty quickly so stay at home!

No matter what you are about to try, seek   medical advice before proceeding to make sure it is OK with your body to do so

        

It is that time of year when we are all getting ready for those pool parties or other water fun times. In the back of your mind while you are dragging out the pool floats lounges might be how to obtain a little more money in your pockets.

I know that this is one herb that myself and many that I know carry with them in a little something at all times!

Bistort (polygonum bistorta) is also known as Dragonwort, Easter Giant, Osterick, Passions, Patience Dock, Red Legs, Snakeweed, Sweet Dock and Knotweed.

Bistort is a feminine plant who falls under the planet Saturn. It’s element is earth and it is known for it’s psychic powers and powers of fertility.

Magically, it is said if you carry Bistort with you, it will aid in conception.

You can also burn Bistort with frankincense incense to increase your psychic abilities or when using divination.

It is also said that if you spread droplets of a Bistort infusion around a building in which poltergeists are said to reside, that it will drive them out.

Bistort is also a common ingredient in money attracting sachets and added to wealth and money incenses.

To grow Bistort, you must have full sun to partial shade. The soil must be rich and kept moist. This herb will grow to approximately two feet tall, good for borders and hedges. Bistort can be seeded or grown by propagation in the spring or autumn.

Medically, some herbalists say that Bistort may be helpful in treating diarrhea, hemorrhoids and cuts.

This herb is a common food source in much of Northern Europe. The leaves are pleasant tasting and is often used in salads.

References: Cunningham, Scott; The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, pg 57.
Hutchison, Francis, Ed.; Encyclopedia of Herb Gardening, pg 243.
Mabey, Richard; The New Age Herbaslist, pg 97.