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Cauldron and Candle
Issue #53 -- November 2004
A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/
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A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
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C A U L D R O N A N D C A N D L E #53 -- November 2004
A Publication of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum
website: http://www.ecauldron.com/
message board: http://www.ecauldron.net/
newsletter: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/
shopping: http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php
http://stores.ebay.com/Doxys-Bazaar?refid=store
In this Issue:
[01] Editorial Notes
[02] Cauldron Challenge: November
[03] Cauldron News
* Hundreds of Additional Online Book Links Added
* New Chat Area: CauldronMUX
* Frequently Asked Questions Added
* Poetry Section Added
[04] Cauldron Discussions
[05] Reviews
[05-1] Crafts for the Spirit
[05-2] The Closing of the Western Mind
[06] First Glance Comments (Received for Review)
* Pendulums and the Light
* The Earth Path
* The Complete Guide to Labyrinths
[07] Articles:
[07-1] Honoring The Dead With Hellenic Symbolism
[07-2] November -- The Eighth Month
[07-3] The Story of Creation
[07-4] Introduction to CauldronMUX
[08] Columns
[08-1] Humor: Blissed Out
[08-2] Cheap Web Hosting Report: November 2004
[09] Around the Planes: Notes from All Over
[09-1] Safe Shopping Online This Holiday Season
[09-2] Access To Books Helps Achieve Academic Dreams
[09-3] Young Artists Share Picture Of A Perfect World
[09-4] CBM -- A Low-Cost Source Of Natural Gas
[09-5] ADHD: Getting A Thorough, Definitive Diagnosis
[10] Support The Cauldron by Volunteering to Help
[11] Newsletter Information
(Including How To Subscribe/Unsubscribe)
+++November Issue Submission Deadline: November 23, 2004+++
Guidelines: http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/submissions.php
[01]
=========
========= EDITORIAL NOTES
========= by Randall Sapphire
=========
This is one of those editorials that I really hate to write, but
I really have no choice. If Cauldron and Candle does not start
getting more submissions every month, I am going to shut it down.
We have over 1600 subscribers and we need 5 book reviews and 5
articles a month to fill an issue -- not to mention other nice
things like poetry, humor, and the like.
This newsletter averages one to two items submitted a month. It's
not because it is hard to get submissions accepted here as we are
so desperate that we will usually accept anything on topic and at
least semi-readable. After four years of writing 5 or more
reviews a month and begging for articles (or finding interesting
public domain material to use as articles), I have burned out. If
the submissions of articles and reviews does not pick up quite a
bit and stay up, I will have no choice but to shut this
newsletter down. I can manage to find a few articles myself, but
with a family, a life, a message board, several web sites, and
more to juggle, I no longer have time to do 80% of it. And to be
blunt, with over 1600 subscribers, I really should not have to.
If you want this newsletter to continue, please write some
articles or reviews. Yes, I really am begging. Here is a list of
just SOME of the things we would like to see:
* accurate information on the beliefs and theology of the various
Pagan religions (Wiccan and non-Wiccan)
* accurate information on holidays and festivals of the various
Pagan religions, especially non-Wiccan religions
* accurate information on historical pagan deities and cultures
* recipes for oils, incenses, and food for the various Pagan
holidays
* divination, magick, spells, and ritual information
* herbal information
* positive articles on dealing with other faiths
* editorial/opinion pieces
* reviews of book and divination decks
* reviews of Pagan-oriented movies and TV shows
* reviews of music suitable for ritual or meditation
* reviews of major web sites of interest to the Pagan community
* reports on Pagan festivals, moots, and other gatherings
This list is not exhaustive, there are many other possibilities.
We even make it easy for you to submit items with a couple of
handy forms on our web site:
Handy Article Submission Form:
http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestart.php
Book Review Submission Form:
http://www.ecauldron.com/persontestbr.php
While this is a continuing need, I will say that if I do not see
a major improvement in submissions by the end of the year, this
newsletter will likely cease publication at that time.
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SEND A PAGAN POSTCARD
You can send a Pagan Postcard from the menu of any
of our web pages at http://www.ecauldron.com/. If
you haven't tried our postcard site, give it a
try. It has quite a few nice features.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[02]
=========
========= CAULDRON CHALLENGE: NOVEMBER
========= by Star
=========
November's Challenge is once again fairly internal in nature. We
all have fears--some little, some big, and probably lots and lots
in between. Some just make us a bit nervous for no good reason,
and some actively terrify us. Your Challenge this month is to
pick one of those fears and face it. It doesn't have to be a
major phobia; it can be anything that you're afraid of at all,
whether there's a lot of fear involved or just a little. Even if
you don't think you can get over your fear in the space of one
month, I encourage you to participate; of course some fears will
be too much to handle in that short timeframe, but hopefully you
can at least make some progress toward overcoming them.
What do I mean by "face your fear"? As with all Challenges, it's
ultimately up to you. My suggestion, however, is to expose
yourself to the thing you're afraid of--in small doses if
necessary. If you're afraid of snakes, go to the nearest zoo and
be sure to stop in the snake section. If you're afraid of
heights, walk across a tall bridge or spend some time looking out
of a window on an upper story of a building. Start out small, and
perhaps over the course of the month work your way up--getting
closer to the snakes, going to higher buildings, and so forth.
The idea is that the more you expose yourself to what you fear,
the more you will get used to it and the less frightening it will
become. (If you prefer, take it all in one big step--actually
handling the snake or going for a flight in a small plane, for
instance. But don't feel like you have to do it this way!)
What fear do you plan on facing?
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2408.1
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LOOKING FOR A PAGAN FRIENDLY WEB HOST?
We use DreamHost because it is affordable and
reliable, but mainly because its terms of service
allow web sites with anything legal: our web site
will not be pulled because we review a few books
on sex magick or an erotic tarot deck. It's a
great host for Pagan web sites.
http://www.dreamhost.com/rewards.cgi?27905/shared/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[03]
=========
========= CAULDRON NEWS
========= by The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Staff
=========
=====
===== Hundreds of Additional Online Book Links Added
=====
We have greatly expanded The Cauldron's list of online book links
from around 100 books to over 500 books. The new additions
include a number of medieval grimoires, books on folklore, books
on various religions, and more. We have also reorganized the
list. Books are no longer listed alphabetically by author,
instead they are listed by title within categories. This should
make it much easier to locate links to books you are interested
in.
http://www.ecauldron.com/bookonline.php
=====
===== New Chat Area: CauldronMUX
=====
In the middle of October, I asked selected members of The
Cauldron to test a dynamic address I had set up for a server on
my home computer. I had a simple web server and a MUX server I
was going to use to chat with a few friends safely on it. BobThe
sane saw the MUX and thought it would be a great idea to set one
up for members of The Cauldron. It turns out that Bob helped set
up one of the original World of Darkness RPG MUXes in the early
1990s, so was an expert. It did not take much effort to talk the
hosts into this since others would be running it and about a week
later, CauldronMUX, The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's new "text
virtual reality" chat area opened to the public.
To find out some basic information about CauldronMUX (including
MU* clients you can download and use instead of the slightly
buggy Java client we provide), take a look at the article
entitled "Introduction to CauldronMUX" later in this issue.
Unlike our Java chat room, you need not be a member of our
message board to log into CauldronMUX. Anyone can log in as a
guest ("connect guest" at the log in screen) and are able to look
around and chat with others there. To do so, you need to connect
to the MUX. The easiest way to do so is by using your web browser
and our Java client.
http://www.ecauldron.net/muxc/muxc.php
Or you can have your favorite telnet or MU* client connect to:
mux.ecauldron.net 4201
To log in as a guest (once you have connected), type:
connect guest
If you are a member of our message board and would like your own
account on CauldronMUX, you can learn how to request an account
(aka "a character") on CauldronMUX here.
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2455.1
Those selected members who were invited to try CauldronMUX during
our test and setup period over the last week have really enjoyed
it, so we think it will be a very nice addition to The Cauldron.
=====
===== Frequently Asked Questions Added
=====
We have added a Frequently Asked Questions area to the "Site Info
& Rules" section of The Cauldron's web site. There are currently
four FAQs with information on our web site, message board, and
chat areas. The Webmaster would like to thank our staff,
especially Star, for all the work they put in on these questions
and answers.
* General Questions
http://www.ecauldron.com/faqgeneral.php
* Message Board Questions
http://www.ecauldron.com/faqboard.php
* Chat Questions
http://www.ecauldron.com/faqchat.php
* Abbreviations
http://www.ecauldron.com/faqabbr.php
=====
===== Poetry Section Added
=====
A number of our members post their poetry on our message board.
This new area of our web site provides a more permanent home for
our member's poetry.
http://www.ecauldron.com/cc/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=poetry
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CAULDRON AND CANDLE WEB SITE
The Cauldron and Candle has its own web site
where we store our back issues for easy reading.
http://www.ecauldron.com/cnc/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[04]
=========
========= CAULDRON DISCUSSIONS
========= Recent Discussion Topics on our Message Board
=========
In an average month, over 150 new discussion topics are started
on The Cauldron's message board. Here are a few of the more
interesting discussions from the last month. It's not too late to
join in.
Thanks to Bloglet, you can now receive an email every night on
days we post new site news items to the main page of The
Cauldron's web site. These emails contain a link to the new item
and the first couple of lines of the news text. You can sign up
for Bloglet's free news delivery via the form at the end of the
site "News and Updates" section of The Cauldron's main web page.
===
=== Your Book of Shadows: Private or Not?
===
I know some people never let anyone see inside their Book of
Shadows. I was wondering how you all felt about that. Are you
comfortable with other people looking in your BOS? This does not
necessarily mean touching your BOS.
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2468.1
===
=== Looking for Advice on Wands
===
I'm hoping to get a wand pretty soon and I'm just curious what
those of you here use (assuming you use one at all.)
Did you buy your wand or make it yourself? What is your wand made
of? Wood (what kind?) or something else? Does it have any
carvings or other decoration?
Does your wand have a crystal point? I've seen some that do and
some that don't. Do you think it matters?
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2438.1
===
=== What Is In A Magical Name?
===
I was just looking at the various names people on this site go by
and wondering why you chose that name and how you came to go by
it.
If you look at my name? Novitiate?
It is that of a novice? a beginner or more technically: 1. The
state of being a novice; time of initiation or instruction in
rudiments. 2. Hence: Time of probation in a religious house
before taking the vows.
I chose this name because I am a spiritual student and have not
given myself a specific religious label (so to speak). I haven't
actually practiced much in the way of magic -- currently I am
reconnecting with my old Tarot from my teens and invoke the
metaphysical properties of crystals & stone, but that is the
extent of it. I feel I am still way to inexperienced to fully
jump into magical workings and that I have so very much to learn
before I truly classify myself of any denomination.
What does your name mean to you?
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2411.1
===
=== Can Anyone Learn How To Use Magick?
===
Can anybody tell me that if I wasn't born with "supernatural
power" (sorry I don't know any other way to put it), can I learn
how to exercise magic by practicing?
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2407.1
===
=== Coven Training or Solitary Learning?
===
I have been having an ongoing discussion in one of my classes on
the benefits and pitfalls on coven life. I was just wondering
what others thought of this topic. I was solitary a long time,
and started a coven to have a sense of family and community with
others. I know what it is like to feel like an outcast -- to feel
all alone in my beliefs and faith.
BTW, I am not trying to imply that all solitaries feel "outcast".
I am asking basically if you believe that learning on your own
was okay, or do you believe that learning in a coven or with a
teacher would have helped you more.
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2344.1
===
=== Lucid Dreaming?
===
How do you start to Lucid Dream? I know it's a dream in that you
are aware that you are dreaming and that you should be able to
control it; but how do you start one? Could you Astral Project
from a Lucid Dream? If anyone has any tips on Lucid Dreaming,
please tell me!
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2337.1
===
=== Would You Consider Hexing Someone?
===
As I further my studies my fluffy scales are being removed from
my eyes. I knew right from the start that not every one followed
the Rede (I might be new but not completely stupid) but I had
thought them in the minority.
I'm coming across, more and more people that really live their
path 100% on a daily basis, I like them they are sensible people
with good morals who are worthy of aspiring to. But they have
hexed and used blood magick all the things the 101 books tell you
are bad. But when I discuss it I can see a rationale according to
their beliefs.
Would you consider hexing someone and what would you consider
justification.
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2293.1
===
=== Swords/Wands Issues in Tarot
===
Okay, I'm playing with the tarot again... trying to get a more in
depth feel for it. One of my problems has always been the
wands/swords/air/fire mess in the minor arcana. I don't like
swords as air, but simply transferring the meaning of wands to
swords doesn't work either.
Thoughts on it? Suggestions for good websites/books? Anyone want
to defend swords=air? I'm not looking for particular decks that
switch it around visually. I'm looking more for... hrm... the
"philosophy" or metaphysics of changing it around.
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2261.1
===
=== Paper or Plastic or Beeswax or...
===
Do you think it makes a difference if the tools you use during
your ritual/worship/etc. are 'organic' or synthetic? Are beeswax
candles the only option for you, or is it okay to go with cheaper
ones? How about your other tools/etc.?
Do you think the materials used make a difference in how
effective your ritual/spell will turn out?
If you do 'cut-corners', when do you think it is appropriate to
buy the cheaper stuff and are there occasions when only the best
will do?
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2228.1
===
=== How To Design Good Ritual?
===
This is an offshoot of the thread about not feeling comfortable
with formal ritual. Many people there commented that a ritual
would be good, effective and useful only if it's well-designed,
well-written led by skillful people.
So... what does it actually mean? What constitutes a good ritual?
How to do design a good ritual? How to make it effective?
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2151.1
===
=== How Successful Is Your Magick?
===
There was a recent thread about the last time you practiced
magick. It seemed that many people that participated in the
discussion use magick fairly infrequently.
There are many different Pagan paths represented by members of
the Cauldron. I was curious about what people who practice magick
considered their success rate. I realize that the term "success"
is open to interpretation. Perhaps, a better way to phrase it
would be noticeable effects that you believe to be directly
related to your use of magick.
I'm not questioning the validity of magick but I am curious about
peoples perceived success rate.
* Read (or join in) this discussion:
http://www.ecauldron.net/cncboard.php?m=2129.1
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DONATE TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAULDRON'S WEB SITE
If you like The Cauldron and have a few extra
dollars, please donate via the Amazon Honor System
or PayPal and help us pay the web site bills.
Donate via PayPal
http://www.ecauldron.com/donatepaypal.php
Donate via Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3903JRFVQVDN
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[05]
===============
============ BOOK AND DECK REVIEWS
=========
[05-1]
=========
========= REVIEW: CRAFTS FOR THE SPIRIT
========= Reviewed by Charys Thamesis
=========
Crafts for the Spirit: 30 Beautiful Projects to Enhance Your
Personal Journey
Author: Ronni Lundy
Trade Paper, 144 pages
Publisher: Lark Books
Publication Date: October 2003
ISBN: 1579904122
US Retail Price: $19.95
Amazon Link:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1579904122
Crafts for the Spirit: 30 Beautiful Projects to Enhance Your
Personal Journey is a beautiful book. It is a sweet addition to
the library of anyone who likes to do spiritual crafts. The
projects included are all designed to heighten your spiritual
awareness in some way. Rituals for their use are also included.
There are 30 projects, which range from the utterly simple
(dressing a candle with beads) to the more complex (firing your
own clay pottery in a home-made kiln). They are beautifully
photographed and presented. Each project is thoroughly explained,
has patterns, suggestions and full instructions. Many fine
contemporary artists are represented, and each project can be
adapted or altered to suit your own spiritual needs.
Additionally, the spiritual significance of each is fully
explained without going overboard, and there are liberal
quotations sprinkled throughout the book for visual and
intellectual interest.
Crafts for the Spirit is a fine book of crafts for anyone.
This review is available on our web site at
http://www.ecauldron.com/bkcfts.php
[05-2]
=========
========= REVIEW: THE CLOSING OF THE WESTERN MIND
========= Reviewed by Charys Thamesis
=========
The Closing of the Western Mind: The Rise of Faith and the
Fall of Reason
Author: Charles Freeman
Hardcover, 464 pages
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Date: October 2003
ISBN: 140004085X
US Retail Price: $32.50
Amazon Link:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=140004085X
Although very "meaty", The Closing of the Western Mind: The Rise
of Faith and the Fall of Reason is a veritable wealth of
information about the origins of Christianity and its impact on
learning, philosophy, thought and culture. Mr. Freeman makes his
points with obvious relish, taking his time, citing plenty of
names and dates and anecdotal material, as well as substantial
historical references. It describes the growth of how
Christianity subsumed the Pagan forms of religion and changed the
way we think forever. And what a tale it is. If it hadn't
impacted so much in our lives today, it would be almost amusing
how changed Christianity became immediately upon the death of
Jesus.
The book traces the earliest philosophical beginnings of modern
thought, beginning with the ancient Greeks, and moving into the
Roman empire. The true accounts of Jesus on earth are included.
Much of the source material -- especially the biographies of
Peter, Paul, the Roman emperors and Greek philosophers -- read
almost like soap operas at times, but are absolutely fascinating
in their complexity and similarity to our own lives.
The account of Constantine, the emperor who changed the Roman
empire forever into a Christian nation, is worth the price of the
book, and all the pages before. It is packed with revelatory
material. For instance, The "Christian" Emperor Constantine knew
almost nothing about Christianity when he "became" one, and
assumed that Christ was as much a god of war as Ares, or Zeus;
rather than abandon his wrong ideas, he simply had them
incorporated into Christian dogma, changing the focus of
Christianity for all time.
Such accounts give the reader an entirely fresh view at the
history of a religion that has opposed Paganism since its
inception, and a far greater understanding of our modern cultural
thought-forms -- and show the basis for the fall of reason and
tolerance in our own lives. The Closing of the Western Mind is
not an easy read, but it is very well worth the effort for the
understanding and knowledge it imparts.
This review is available on our web site at
http://www.ecauldron.com/bktcotwm.php
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SHOP ONLINE AT THE CAULDRON MALL
Shop Amazon, Catalog City, Abebooks, and other
stores at The Cauldron Shopping Mall. Every
purchase from our one of our mall links helps
support The Cauldron and this newsletter.
http://www.ecauldron.com/mall.php
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[06]
=========
========= FIRST GLANCE COMMENTS (RECEIVED FOR REVIEW)
========= by Randall Sapphire
=========
This month has First Glance Comments on the books received (or
seen) in October.
===
=== Pendulums and the Light
===
by Diane Stein
Crossing Press
ISBN: 1580911633
Amazon Link:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911633
This book is a nice introduction to the pendulum as a divination
tool. In my experience, the pendulum is often overlooked by
Pagans as "too simple" when selecting a divination method. This
is a shame because there are many times when a pendulum is likely
to be the most accurate and direct means of divination. While
even my quick glance showed that this book has more of a "Goddess
Spirituality" slant than I personally like, the information on
pendulum use I scanned seems right on target. Best of all, Stein
spends a lot of time in this text telling the reader how to use a
pendulum effectively.
===
=== The Earth Path
===
by Starhawk
Harper San Francisco
ISBN: 0060000929
Amazon Link:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=0060000929
Starhawk has written her ninth book and from first glance it is
one of her better books. In The Earth Path, Starhawk manages to
combine ecology, spirituality, activism, and magick to present a
method on entwining an ecological respect for the natural world
with a Wiccan spirituality that draws power from nature. Like
The Spiral Dance, this book is full of exercises and activities
that allow the reader to learn to use the principles it teaches
in a measured manner. While I found things I disagreed with even
in a quick glance through it, I also found that this is a book
that looks like it will be well worth reading word-for-word.
===
=== The Complete Guide to Labyrinths
===
by Cassandra Eason
The Crossing Press
ISBN: 1580911269
Amazon Link:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1580911269
Labyrinths have a long history and, like many symbols, have
appeared in many cultures around the world. According to some,
the labyrinth represents humanity's search for the core of
divinity -- as a labyrinth has a single winding pathway (unlike a
maze which may have many alternate and false paths). In this
book, Eason presents this point of view as she explores the
history, mystery, and use of labyrinths for personal
transformation, protection, healing, and enlightenment. There are
also simple instructions for creating your own labyrinths, both
indoors and outdoors. From a first glance, this book is
interesting and covers a lot of ground, but does not dig very
deeply in any of the ground it covers.
[07]
===============
============ ARTICLES
=========
[07-1]
=========
========= HONORING THE DEAD WITH HELLENIC SYMBOLISM
========= by Druansha
=========
As you know Samhain is not a Hellenic/Greek tradition but since
modern witches celebrate Hekate on this night, I thought I'd do
something to honor the Dead. Although I'm not a witch and I
normally don't follow the Celtic path, I love and honor anything
that leads to a higher understanding of the Spirit!
Traditionally, in ancient Greece, the Dead are honored before the
"awakening" (coming) of Spring, in late February, and then again
in October, during the Thesmophoria (where the dried up cakes,
referred to as Thesmoi, are crumbled into powder and mixed with
wheat for sowing) This is similar to zwieback in the koliva
recipe below. However, I trust my witch friends when they tell me that
October 31st is a very special night -- the night "when the veil
between the worlds is the thinnest."
And so I would like to share with you, my Koliva recipe, which is
specifically used at memorials and for honoring the Dead. This is
a modern offering which has roots from ancient times. Alongside
the Koliva, I will also bake Bread of the Dead, given to me by a
friend at HellenicWiccan board and with decorations and candles of
Orange, Red, and Black I will present these offerings to the Dead
(I have a list of nine people) while lighting a small votive for
each one.
Interestingly enough, my husband wants to participate and my
daughter says she wants to see something more "meaningful" other
than the commercialized holiday of Halloween. To make it
meaningful, we will each say something distinct about each of the
nine departed people.
Koliva are an "offering" which through ritual & prayer (or
intercession, as the Orthodox call it) we can honor the memory of
those who have left us... There is a 'standard' recipe and a
layman's recipe (which has slight variations according to
region).
Typically, the Koliva need Zwieback, which is a dry RUSK, which
we call Paximadi, usually made in Crete. Undoubtedly, the best
paximadi comes from the island of Crete. Bakeries around the
island offer an assortment of organic and traditional paximadi
(twice-baked) loaves made with chick-pea flour or ancient island
grains such as barley-that are dampened under the tap and are
sprinkled with local olive oil.
This Rusk or commonly known by the German term (in European
cooking), as Zwieback (twice-baked). It needs to be made
first---2-3 days before the memorial.
Once it's baked, the bread is sliced and then returned to the
oven until it becomes very crispy & dry. There's a hint of
sweetness to it, by using anise flavoring (but usually has anise
seeds in it).
Now check out the similarities and symbolism in the ancient Greek
items/ingredients used for memorials & funerals:
-honey
-pomegranates
-eggs
-celery
-cakes offering
-drink offerings
-cypress branches
-lock of hair
-wine
-olive oil
-coarse salt for purifying
-water for washing
-bay leaves
-barley /flour
-garlands
-ribbons (sometimes)
Offering Cakes may contain these approximate. ingredients:
wheat flour
barley
eggs
milk (goat milk?)
honey
anise seeds/extract
sesame or poppy seeds
Ok, before this article gets extraordinarily long, let me get on
with the recipe I'm going to use.
KOLIVA:
(Warning: this takes almost 2 days to make!)
4 lb of wheat
1 lb dark raisins
1 lb of Zwieback (ground Rusk-Paximadi)
1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
1 cup browned flour (brown in frying pan)
1 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup sesame seeds (in 2 teaspoons oil)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup white, candy-covered Almonds (for decorating)
2 cups of fresh pomegranate seeds (optional)
The wheat takes a really long time; cook for 10 mins; soak
overnight and the next day cook for another 30 minutes until the
wheat cracks.
The parsley and raisins are mixed into the wheat and
laid out to dry for about 5 hours.
After this, the wheat (which is dry by now) goes into a large
bowl and the other seasonings are mixed into it (nutmeg,
cinnamon, walnuts, sugar). Optionally, you can also add two cups
of pomegranate seeds -- freshly picked out of the pomegranate. I
can't find pomegranates where I live, but my mother, who is from
Crete, insists they should go in this recipe. And the symbolism
is obvious.
Then this mixture is formed into mounds, small balls (golf-size),
and the ground zwieback is sifted over the mounds. Then the
browned flour is sifted over that.
Press them together with hands to keep the mold tightly
formed and to give a smooth exterior. Sift the powdered sugar on
top and the candy-covered almonds are tossed in as decorations.
This is served (during ceremony) in small bowls or 5 oz dixie
cups with a plastic spoon.
You're suppose to pray for the dead and visualize your departed
relatives & friends as you are preparing the Koliva.
If this is presented to a priest (or priestess), during holy
liturgy (the ancient Greeks considered their ritual ceremonies to
be "liturgies", so let's not fear the word if it sounds too
"Christian") a list of names was also provided to the priest/ess to
be prayed for during the ceremony.
[07-2]
=========
========= NOVEMBER -- THE NINTH MONTH
========= (Chapter XI of The Stories of the Months and Days
========= by Reginald C. Couzens [1923])
=========
On the thirteenth of this "ninth" month the Romans held a feast
in honour of Jupiter, the ruler of gods and men. From the clouded
top of Mount Olympus he held sway over the whole world, and even
the gods had to bow to his supreme will. Terrible indeed was it
to anger any of the gods, but no punishment was more swift and
sure than that sent by Jupiter when he was enraged. We have seen
how with his thunderbolt he slew the proud and reckless Phaeton,
and we have another example in the story of Bellerophon. This
hero, who was staying at the court of a Grecian king, was set the
task of killing the Chimaera, a terrible monster with a lion's
head, a goat's body, a dragon's tail, and breath of fire. While
sorrowfully wondering how he could possibly perform so difficult
a task, Bellerophon suddenly found before him the goddess
Minerva, who asked him the cause of his trouble. As soon as she
had learnt of his task she promised to help him, and, giving him
a golden bridle, told him to bridle the horse Pegasus.
Now Pegasus was a winged horse which the sea-god Neptune had made
from the drops of blood that fell into the sea from the head of
the Gorgon Medusa, slain by Perseus. He was perfectly white and
of great speed, and, as Bellerophon well knew, came down to earth
to drink at a certain spring. Bellerophon waited in hiding by
this spring, and taking Pegasus by surprise, jumped upon his
back. The winged horse at once flew up to a great height, trying
to unseat Bellerophon; but the hero succeeded in putting on
Minerva's golden bridle, when Pegasus at once became gentle.
Bellerophon then set off on his task, and suddenly swooping down
from the sky upon the Chimaera, overcame and killed the dreadful
monster. His task accomplished, he might now have lived in
happiness, but he became filled with pride because of the
wonderful flights he had made on Pegasus. One day, as he soared
up higher and higher, he began to think himself equal to the
gods, and wished to join them on Mount Olympus. This angered
Jupiter, who sent a gadfly which stung Pegasus. Suddenly rearing
up, the winged horse threw the proud Bellerophon far down to the
earth beneath.
The goddess, Minerva, who appeared to Bellerophon, was a daughter
of Jupiter, but she was born in a very strange way, for she
sprang out of her father's head, clothed in bright armour, and
with a spear in her hand. She became the Goddess of Wisdom (as we
have seen in the story of Paris), of the arts and the sciences,
and of spinning and weaving. Her skill in weaving is shown by the
following story.
There once lived in Greece a girl named Arachne, who was so
clever at needlework that at last in her pride she boasted that
she could weave more skilfully than Minerva herself. Minerva,
angered by these words, one day came down to Arachne's home, and
accepted the challenge which she had so rashly made. The story is
thus told by the poet Spenser in "The Fate of the Butterflie":
"Minerva did the challenge not refuse,
But deigned with her the paragon to make;
So to their work they sit, and each doth choose
What story she will for her tapet take".
Arachne pictured the story of Jupiter when, disguised as a white
bull, he carried off Europa to the land which afterwards bore the
name Europe. Minerva chose for her work the story of her own
contest with the sea-god Neptune as to which of them should have
the honour of naming a new city that had been built in Greece.
Jupiter had said that the honour would be given to the one who
gave the most useful gift to man, and he called all the gods
together to judge the contest. Neptune struck the ground with his
trident and there sprang forth a horse. The gods were filled with
wonder at the sight of the noble animal, and when Neptune
explained how useful it would be to man, they all thought that
the victory would be his. Minerva then produced an olive tree; at
this all the gods laughed with scorn, but when the goddess,
heedless of their laughter, had explained how all its parts--the
wood, the fruit, and the leaves--could be used by man, how it was
the sign of peace while the horse was the symbol of war, they
decided that Minerva had won, and since her name among the Greeks
was Athene, she gave to the city the name of Athens.
All this the goddess wove in her tapestry:
"Then sets she forth, how with her weapon dread
She smote the ground, the which straight forth did yield
A fruitful Olive tree, with berries spread,
That all the gods admired: then all the story
She compassed with a wreath of Olives hoary.
Amongst the leaves she made a Butterfly,
With excellent device and wondrous sleight,
Flutt'ring among the Olives wantonly,
That seemed to live, so like it was in sight;
The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
The silken down with which his back is dight,
His broad outstretched horns, his hairy thighs,
His glorious colours, and his glistening eyes.
Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid
And mastered with workmanship so rare,
She stood astonied long, nor ought gainsaid;
And with fast-fixed eyes on her did stare,
And by her silence, sugn of one dismayed,
The victory did yield her as her share."
Then in anger and despair, the unhappy girl hanged herself, and
Minerva turned her dangling body into a spider, and bade her for
ever spin and weave.
The Angles and Saxons had two names for this month of November:
"Windmonath", that is, "wind month", and "Blodmonath", that is,
"blood month". The latter name arose from the fact that during
this month they slaughtered large numbers of cattle to last them
through the cold and dreary winter.
[07-3]
=========
========= THE STORY OF CREATION
========= (Chapter I of Teutonic Myth and Legend
========= by Donald A. Mackenzie [1912])
=========
In the Ages, when naught else was, there yawned in space a vast
and empty gulf called Ginnunga-gap. Length it had, and breadth
immeasurable, and there was depth beyond comprehension. No shore
was there, nor cooling wave; for there was yet no sea, and the
earth was not made nor the heavens above.
There in the gulf was the beginning of things. There time first
dawned. And in the perpetual twilight was All-father, who governs
every realm and sways all things both great and small.
First of all there was formed, northward of the gulf, Nifel-heim,
the immense home of misty darkness and freezing cold, and to the
south, Muspel-heim, the luminous home of warmth and of light.
In the midst of Nifel-heim burst forth the great fountain from
whence all waters flow, and to which all waters return. It is
named Hvergelmer, "the roaring cauldron", and from it surged, at
the beginning, twelve tremendous rivers called Elivagar, that
washed southward towards the gulf. A vast distance they traversed
from their source, and then the venom that was swept with them
began to harden, as does dross pouring from a surface, until they
congealed and became ice. Whereupon the rivers grew silent and
ceased to move, and gigantic blocks of ice stood still. Vapour
arose from the ice-venom and was frozen to rime; layer upon layer
heaped up in fantastic forms one above another.
That part of the gulf which lay northward was a region of horror
and of strife. Heavy masses of black vapour enveloped the ice,
and within were screaming whirlwinds that never ceased, and
dismal banks of fleeting mist. But southward, Muspel-heim glowed
with intense radiance, and sprayed forth beauteous flakes and
sparks of shining fire. The intervening space between the region
of tempest and gloom and the region of warmth and light was a
peaceful twilight, serene and still as is windless air.
Now when the sparks from Muspel-heim fell through the frozen
vapour, and the heat was sent thither by the might of the All-
father, drops of moisture began to fall from the ice. It was then
and there that life began to be. The drops were quickened and a
formless mass took human shape. Thus came into being the great
lumbering clay-giant who was named Ymer.
Rough and ungainly was Ymer, and as he stretched himself and
began to move about he was tortured by the pangs of immense
hunger. So he went forth ravenously to search for food; but there
was yet no substance of which he could partake. The whirlwinds
went past him and over, and the dark mists enveloped him like a
shroud.
More drops fell through the gloomy vapours, and next there was
formed a gigantic cow, which was named Audhumla, "void darkness".
Ymer beheld it standing in the gloom beside blocks of ice, and
groped weakly towards it. Wondering, he found that milk ran from
its teats in four white streams, and greedily he drank and drank
until he was filled with the seeds of life and was satisfied.
Then a great heaviness came over Ymer, and he lay down and fell
into deep and dreamless slumber. Warmth and strength possessed
him, and sweat gathered in the pit of his left arm, from which,
by the might of All-father, were formed a son named Mimer and a
daughter named Bestla. From Mimer were descended the Vana-gods.
Under the feet of Ymer arose a monstrous six-headed son, who was
the ancestor of the evil frost giants, the dreaded Hrimthursar.
Then Ymer awoke.
For Audhumla, the great cow, there was no verdure upon which to
feed. She stood on the verge of gloom, and found sustenance by
licking constantly the huge boulders that were encrusted by salt
and rime. For the space of a day she fed in this manner, until
the hair of a great head appeared. On the second day the cow
returned to the boulder, and ere she had ceased to lick, a head
of human semblance was laid bare. On the third day a noble form
leapt forth. He was endowed with great beauty, and was nimble and
powerful. The name he received was Bure, and he was the first of
the Asa-gods.
There followed in time more beings--noble giants and wicked
giants, and gods. Mimer, who is Mind and Memory, had daughters,
the chief of whom was Urd, Goddess of Fate and Queen of Life and
Death. Bure had a son named Bor, who took for his wife Bestla,
the sister of wise Mimer. Three sons were born to them, and the
first was called Odin (spirit), the second Ve whose other name is
Honer, and the third Vile, whose other names are Lodur and Loke.
Odin became the chief ruler of the Asa-gods, and Honer was chief
of the Vans until Loke, the usurper, became their ruler.
Now Ymer and his evil sons were moved with wrath and enmity
against the family of gods, and soon warfare broke out between
them. To neither side was there early victory, and the fierce
conflicts were waged through the long ages ere yet the earth was
formed. But, at length, the sons of Bor prevailed over their
enemies and drove them back. In time there followed great
slaughter, which diminished the army of evil giants until one
alone remained.
It was thus that the gods achieved their triumph. Ymer was
stricken down, and the victors leapt upon him and then slit open
the bulging veins of his neck. A great deluge of blood gushed
forth, and the whole race of giants was drowned save Bergelmer,
"The Mountain-old", who with his wife took refuge on the timbers
of the great World-mill, and remained there. From these are
descended the Jotuns, who for ever harboured enmity against the
gods.
The great World-mill of the gods was under care of Mundilfore
(Lodur-Loke). Nine giant maids turned it with much violence, and
the grinding of the stones made such fearsome clamour that the
loudest tempests could not be heard. The great mill is larger
than is the whole world, for out of it the mould of earth was ground.
When Ymer was dead, the gods took counsel among themselves, and
set forth to frame the world. They laid the body of the clay-
giant on the mill, and the maids ground it. The stones were
smeared with blood, and the dark flesh came out as mould. Thus
was earth produced, and the gods shaped it to their desire. From
Ymer's bones were made the rocks and the mountains; his teeth and
jaws were broken asunder, and as they went round at their labour
the giant maids flung the fragments hither and thither, and these
are the pebbles and boulders. The ice-cold blood of the giant
became the waters of the vast engulfing sea.
Nor did the giant maids cease their labours when the body of Ymer
was completely ground, and the earth was framed and set in order
by the gods. The body of giant after giant was laid upon the
mill, which stands beneath the floor of Ocean, and the flesh-
grist is the sand which is ever washed up round the shores of the
world. Where the waters are sucked through the whirling eye of
the millstone is a fearsome maelstrom, and the sea ebbs and flows
as it is drawn down to Hvergelmer, "the roaring cauldron", in
Nifel-heim and thrown forth again. The very heavens are made to
swing by the great World-mill, round Veraldar Nagli, "the world
spike", which is the Polar Star.
Now when the gods had shaped the earth they set Ymer's skull over
it to be the heavens. At each of the four corners they put as
sentinels the strong dwarfs East and West and North and South.
The skull of Ymer rests upon their broad shoulders.
As yet the sun knew not her home, nor the moon her power, and the
stars had no fixed dwelling place.
Now the stars are bright fire-sparks sprayed from Muspel-heim
over the great gulf, and these the gods fixed in the heavens to
give light to the world and to shine over the sea. To these and
to every wandering fire-flake they assigned due order and motion,
so that each has its set place and time and season.
The sun and the moon were also regulated in their courses, for
these are the greater fire-disks that were sprayed from Muspel-
heim, and to bear them over the paths of the heavens the gods
caused the elf-smiths, the sons of Ivalde and the kinsmen of
Sindre, to fashion chariots of fine gold.
Mundilfore, who has care of the World-mill, aspired to rival
Odin. He had two beautiful children, and one he called Mani
(moon), and the other Sol (sun). The gods were filled with anger
because of Mundilfore's presumption, and to punish him they took
from him his two children, of whom he was exceedingly boastful,
to drive the heavenly chariots and count the Years for men. Fair
Sol they set to drive the sun-chariot. Her steeds are Arvak,
which is "Early Dawn", and Alsvid, which signifies "scorching
heat". Under their withers were placed skins of ice-chilled air
for coolness and refreshment. They enter the eastern heaven at
Hela-gate, through which the souls of dead men pass to the world
beneath.
Then the gods set Mani, the handsome youth, to drive the chariot
of the moon. With him are two fair children whom he carried away
from earth--a boy who was called Hyuki, and a girl whose name is
Bil. They had been sent out in the darkness of night by
Vidfinner, their father, to draw song-mead from the mountain
spring Byrger, "the hidden", which broke forth from the source of
Mimer's fount; and they filled their pail Saegr to the brink, so
that the precious mead spilled over as they raised it on the pole
Simul. When they began to descend the mountain, Mani seized them
and took them away. The spots that are ever seen by night on the
fair-faced moon are Hyuki and Bil, and beauteous Bil do skalds
invoke, so that hearing them she may sprinkle from the moon the
magic song-mead upon their lips.
In Mani's keeping is a bundle of thorns from which evildoers
among met, must needs suffer the punishment of piercing pains.
The sun is ever in flight, and so also is the moon. They are
pursued by bloodthirsty enemies, who seek to compass their
destruction ere they reach the sheltering forest of the Varns,
behind the western horizon. These are two fierce and gigantic
wolves. The one whose name is Skoll, "the adherer", chases the
sun, whom one day it will devour; the other is Hati, "the hater",
who races in front of "the bright maiden of heaven", in ceaseless
pursuit of the moon.
Skoll and Hati are giants in wolf-guise. They were sent forth by
the Mother of Evil, the dark and fearsome Hag, Gulveig-Hoder,
whose children they are. She dwells in the Iarnvid, the black
forest of iron trees, on the world's edge, which is the
habitation of a witch family dreaded both by gods and by men. Of
the Hag's wolf-sons the most terrible is Hati, who is also called
Managarm, "the moon devourer". He feeds on the blood of dying
men. The seers have foretold that when he comes to swallow the
moon, the heavens and the earth shall turn red with blood. Then,
too, must the seats of the mighty gods be reddened with gore, and
the sunshine of summer made dim, while great storms burst in fury
to rage across the world.
Again and again, at dreaded eclipse, would these giant wolves
have swallowed now the sun and now the moon, had not their evil
designs been thwarted by spells which were wrought against them,
and the clamour of affrighted men.
Now Nat, which is Night, is the swarthy daughter of the Vana-
giant Narve, "the Binder", whose other name is Mimer. Dark is her
hair like all her race, and her eyes are soft and benevolent. She
brings rest to the toiler, and refreshment to the weary, and
sleep and dreams unto all. To the warrior she gives strength so
that he may win victory, and care and sorrow she loves to take
away. Nat is the beneficent mother of gods. Three times was she
wed. Her first husband was Nagelfare of the stars, and their son
was Aud of bounteous riches. Her second husband was Annar,
"Water", and their daughter, Jord, the earth-goddess, was Odin's
wife and the mother of Thor. Her third husband was Delling, the
red elf of dawn, and their son was Dagr, which is Day.
To mother Nat and her son Dagr were given jewelled chariots to
drive across the world, one after the other, in the space of
twelve hours. Nat is first to set forth. Her steed is called Hrim
Faxi, "frosted mane". Swiftly it gallops over the heavens, and
every morn the sweet foam from its bit falls as dewdrops upon the
earth beneath. Dagr's fair steed is called Skin Faxi, "shining
mane". From its golden neck is shed radiance and beauty upon the
heavens and over all the world. Of all coursers that are, he is
praised most by faring men.
There are two seasons, and these are Winter and Summer. Vindsval,
son of gloomy Vasud, "the ice wind", was father of grim Winter,
and the mild and beneficent Svasud was the sire of fair Summer,
beloved by all.
The wonder of men is whence comes the wind that shakes the ocean
with fear, that fans the low spark into bright flame, and that no
eye can behold. At the northern summit of heaven there sits in
eagle-guise a great giant called Hraesvelgur, "the swallower of
dead men's flesh". When his wide pinions are spread for flight
the winds are stirred beneath them and rush down upon the earth.
When coming or going, or travelling hither and thither across the
heavens, the winds are driven from his wings.
As yet there were no men who had their dwelling upon the earth,
although the sun and moon were set in their courses, and the days
and seasons were marked out in due order. There came a time,
however, when the sons of Bor were walking on the world's shores,
and they beheld two logs of wood. They were grown from Ymer's
hair, which sprang up as thick forests and verdure abundant from
the mould of his -body, which is the earth. One log was of an ash
tree, and from it the gods shaped a man; and the other, which was
an alder tree, they made into a fair woman. They had but life
like a tree which grows until the gods gave them mind and will
and desire. Then was the man named Ask and the woman Embla, and
from them are descended the entire human race, whose habitation
is called Midgard, "middle ward", and Mana-heim, "home of men".
Round Midgard is the embracing sea, and beyond, on the outward
shores, is Jotun-heim, the home of giants. Against these the gods
raised an ice bulwark shaped from the eyebrows of turbulent Ymer,
whose brains they cast high in heaven, where they became heavy
masses of scattered cloud, tossing hither and thither.
Address to Odin
In the beginning, ere the gods were born,
Before the Heavens were builded, thou didst slay
The giant Ymir, whom the abyss brought forth,
Thou and thy brethren fierce, the sons of Bor,
And cast his trunk to choke the abysmal void.
But of his flesh and members thou didst build
The earth and Ocean, and above them Heaven.
And from the flaming world, where Muspel reigns,
Thou sent'st and fetched'st fire, and madest lights,
Sun, moon, and stars, which thou hast hung in Heaven,
Dividing clear the paths of night and day.
And Asgard thou didst build, and Midgard fort;
Then me thou mad'st; of us the Gods were born.
Last, walking by the sea, thou foundest spars
Of wood, and framed'st men, who till the earth,
Or on the sea, the field of pirates, sail.
And all the race of Ymir thou didst drown,
Save one, Bergelmer;--he on shipboard fled
Thy deluge, and from him the giants sprang.
But all that brood thou hast removed far off,
And set by Ocean's utmost marge to dwell;
But Hela into Nifelheim thou threw'st,
And gav'st her nine unlighted worlds to rule,
A queen, and empire over all the dead.
--From "Balder Dead", by Matthew Arnold.
[07-4]
=========
========= Introduction to CauldronMUX
========= by Bob and Randall
=========
CauldronMUX is a social MUX providing a text-based virtual world
where members of The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum can chat with each
other, conduct online rituals and classes, etc. in a environment
that lets them create rooms and props to use in these activities.
If you do not know what a MUX is, this probably means nothing to
you so, here is Bob's description of a MUX and his examples of
what Cauldron members could do with a MUSH:
=====
===== What is a MUX?
=====
First, a bit of history:
Back in the 1980s, the MIT school of computer science, in an
attempt to create a primitive AI, wound up creating what became
the first TinyMUD. MUD stands for Multi-User Dungeon, and MUDs
are primarily intended to be hack and slash games. MUSH came a
little later, with the first game being PernMUSH. MUSH stands for
(supposedly) Multi-User Shared Hallucination. On PernMUSH,
players could create characters and act out those characters
lives in the setting of Anne McCaffrey's Pern. There were
dragonriders, harpers, holders, everything including fire
lizards.
Over time, MUSH code got very intricate and complex. MU*s (the
generic term for MUD/MUSH/MUX/MOO/MUSE.etc) in time started
developing their own, purely internal, programming language with
which players could create a virtual, well, anything.
On a MU*, virtual 'rooms' exist wherein the players interact with
their environment and each other. Virtual objects (everything
from fire lizards on Pern to computers on modern setting MU*s)
can be created and programmed by players to do certain things.
MU*s come with their own internal mail systems, their own
internal chat systems, even their own 'furniture' in bars where
people can have publicly private (does that make sense?)
conversations within an In Character setting.
The system, at it's core, is text based. Players and staff create
their objects and rooms, and then give them text descriptions.
Ever play one of those old text adventure games like the original
Zork? It's just like that, only far more interactive as you can
have hundreds of players interacting with their environment and
each other every minute.
Here's a sample of a room description and it's exits:
Bob's Hangout
Here you can see the living room of a heathen geek. Computer
magazines lie strewn about the room, one laying open across
the top of an altar to Odin in the corner. Two electric
guitars are in upright stands next to an ominous looking
4x12" Marshall amp. In various locations lie strewn empty
bottles of hooch, and various bladed weapons festoon the
walls. You get the feeling you don't want to ask the resident
about the odd discolorations on the worn-out couch or floors,
as then he might tell you about them in detail.
Contents:
Bob, SKS battle rifle, Keg-o-Hooch
Obvious Exits:
Bedroom [B] Bathroom [BA] Kitchen [K] Out [O]
Obviously, if a person wanted to leave they would simply type the
'o' key and press enter, which would presumably take them out of
the apartment. And as can be seen by the contents of the room,
Bob, his SKS rifle, and a keg are the interactive objects within
the room. You could look at any of the interactive objects to get
a description of the person or thing, and probably some hint as
to their usage, thusly:
look keg
You see a large keg with an adjustable spigot. Perhaps you
should check out the 'menu' to see what drinks are available?
As inferred, typing menu would bring up a list of further
instructions for how to use the keg. This is just a simple
example of how complex MU* inhabitants can make the world around
them.
This is just a bare-bones introduction to everything that can be
done with a MUX like what we're talking about. It can become
extremely complex and intricate, quite a nice little virtual
world, wherein the people have more control over their
environment than they do in meatspace.
=====
===== What Can We Do With CauldronMUX?
=====
For The Cauldron, we're talking about a social MUX, one which is
not set in any particular world other than our own, and existing
purely for the purpose of socialization. I've seen pagans use
MU*s to do group circles when not all of the members could be
physically present, using preset macro commands to punch in the
type of their ritual (to eliminate misspellings and the time
needed to type them in by hand). Apparently they were quite
successful. Their rationale being that the Internet, being that
it is a coherent energy transport mechanism, would be ideal for
transferring magical energy as well. I can't speak to that, not
having done it myself, but they all seemed quite satisfied.
I've also seen MU*s with 'teaching rooms' -- programmed areas
meant to impart lessons or to be used as teaching aids by
students and teachers.
Members can use CauldronMUX in different ways. While a few will
probably learn the nuts and bolts of the system and create
programmed objects, others will not want to bother with the
anything that complex and will just create and describe rooms or
simple objects for others to use, and many will just use the
system to chat with friends and interact with the places and
objects others create.
=====
===== Connecting to CauldronMUX
=====
You can access CauldronMUX via a (somewhat buggy) Java client:
http://www.ecauldron.net/muxc/muxc.php
from your browser or by telneting to
mux.ecauldron.net port 4201
with your telnet program or with a MU* client on your machine.
The MU* client is definitely the best way to connect to
CauldronMUX as MU* client programs have many features to make
using CauldronMUX easy. If you do not have a MU* client, here are
links to some of the ones Cauldron staff members know of for
various operating systems. Some are freeware, some our shareware.
=== Some Windows MU* Clients
* SimpleMU [Shareware ($20). No annoying nags or time limits.
If you do not pay, just a few advanced features are
disabled.]
http://simplemu.onlineroleplay.com/
* Mushclient [Shareware ($20). Nags and a time limit. Very
nice client if you are willing to pay $20.]
http://www.gammon.com.au/mushclient/mushclient.htm
* Mud Master 2000 [Freeware. Powerful gui version of the
older text-only Mud Master client.]
http://www.mmgui.com/
* MonkeyTerm [Freeware]
http://www.eternals.dk/monkeyterm/About.asp
* Gosclient [Freeware]
http://gosclient.altervista.org/eng/index.htm
* Mud Master Console [Freeware. A text-based client that runs
in a "dosbox."]
http://www.mud-master.com/index.html
=== Some Linux MU* Clients
* TinyFugue [Freeware. A very powerful text-based client.]
http://tf.tcp.com/~hawkeye/tf/
* MCL [Freeware. Text-based client]
http://www.andreasen.org/mcl/
* Kmuddy [Freeware. KDE-based client]
http://www.kmuddy.org/
* Papaya [Freeware. Gnome-based client]
http://www.gtk-papaya.org/
* KMud [Freeware. KDE-based client]
http://www.kmud.de/
* KMC [Freeware. KDE-based client]
http://kmc.sourceforge.net/
=== Mac OS X Clients
* Cantrip [Freeware]
http://www.solidsun.com/cm/
* GGMud [Freeware]
http://ggmud.sourceforge.net/
* Savitar [Shareware ($15)]
http://www.heynow.com/Savitar/
* MudWalker [Freeware]
http://mudwalker.cubik.org/
When you connect to CauldronMUX, you will see a screen something
like this:
Welcome to CauldronMUX, The Cauldron's Hangout
--------------------------------------------------------------
"connect
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