Picture Jasper is the Stone for this month. Picture jasper is an earthy colored stone that is found smoothly polished but never faceted. It is popular in Southwestern style jewelry because of its resemblance to the desert. It is said to help with matters of cleansing, stability and grounding. Brown stones are connected to earth energy and carry strong memories of the past. This can make Picture jasper useful for regression and meditation.

This book is an astrology classic for several good reasons. First, it is full of astrological humor combined with warmth and an awesome understanding of her subject. Second, it has stood the test of time. My mother bought Linda Goodman's Sun Signs when it was a new release. I read it so many times as a child that I memorized whole sections of it. I find that I still use her imagery in my practice. Third, Linda Goodman deserves credit for making astrology accessible to all America in 1968.

For this edition, we have a book review of "Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham from one of our readers, Donald L. O'Neill:

This wonderfully informative book by Scott Cunningham is the perfect book for anyone interested in Paganism and Wicca, as well as the rest of the Occult world. (The title is a smart pun, too!) Although it was written primarily, as the title suggests of course, for all the Solitaries out there, this book is a large source of reliable information for us all. (Cunningham dedicates this book to "Solitary Wiccans Everywhere".) As a Solitary myself, (for now, anyway), I was instantly "hooked" on the book from day one! The 220 page book took me only three days to read, and if you don't know me, normally, some other book of that size would've taken me at least two weeks!

At the beginning of the book, the introduction, Cunningham catches your attention rather fast with his vivid honesty. This is the reader's first experience with his wonderful honesty of the religion. I was pleased at his neutrality despite him being Wiccan himself! He gives the reader all possible explanations and choices, and if he couldn't tell you, he even gives the names and authors of other books that maybe could! Here's an example quote from the book displaying his truthfulness: "I've written this book as a guide not only to Wiccan practice, but to Wiccan life. Still, its contents are merely ideas and suggestions. Each of us must find the perfect path. May the Goddess and God assist you in this quest." Now how about that?!

On to the actual "book part" of the book. Now, although I'd like to talk about each chapter, I can't. However, I can give you a brief summary, or REVIEW mostly of the ones I liked. Cunningham covers practically everything one would need and/or want to know about Solitary Wicca. From ritual design to if one should practice while physically ill! Information, as mentioned previously, is presented very maturely, wisely, and with options, choices, and much detail!

Next, are a few of my favorite chapters. "Secrecy", chapter 2, is very interesting. It deals with the choice of if a Solitary decides to tell anyone, who to tell, and how. Chapter 3, "Should I do it while I'm sick?", is also very informative. It explains that, while one is ill, he or she must remember that not only their physical energy is down. "Magickal Names", chapter 4, is another of my favorites. Although I wasn't really comfortable with the idea of choosing a magickal name for myself just yet, it was still helpful. The prayer section, chapters 8 through 10, are a nice way to find out more about who Wiccans pray too, and how they do it too. Another thing about the prayer chapters, is that it teaches to not only pray in times of need, but all the time, which I found an important teaching. The rest of the following chapters deal with magickal rites, ritual clothing, book of shadows, etc. Near the end is an illustrated 15 page chapter of magickal symbols and signs. The last part of the book is an illustrated "suggested reading" chapter, with books from various authors.

This book was a wonderful teacher for me, and although this is my first Scott Cunningham book, I have a nice idea of what his teachings are like, and, well, I like them! I look forward to reading many other books by this author, and thus, I give it 9 out of 10 stars (pentagrams, that is, *grins*). Although the book has beautiful cover art, no other illustrations, (except for the magickal symbols chapter and such), are used. Such as illustrated examples of altar setup, garment design examples, or just various "fantasy art" etc., [probably] would've given this book a "perfect score". But in the same words similar to Cunningham's: "This is only the opinion of one, one must find for himself what he or she desires."

Until next time.... - Donald L. O'Neill, December 29, 1999

We've always wondered what would happen if we got the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic (IEM) into a room together. Why? Because every one of us is special and has a gift to offer to the world! And if we get enough of us in one place at the same time, something magical is bound to occur! So now we're going to find out!

• When: The 1st Friday of every month starting at 6 PM
• Where: Our place (click on LIBRARY in the navigation bar at the top of the screen and then MAP ROOM for directions)
• What to bring: Whatever strikes your fancy! Food, beer, wine or just your enthusiasm and love!
• How long: Well, however long it takes to reach that magical state so you may want to plan on sleeping with the kitties on one of the couches or bring your sleeping bag and mat and sleep on the floor of Inga's office. Coffee will be served come morning!
• RSVP: Just let us know in advance via e-mail or phone if you are coming and if you are bringing guests so we don't run out of room!

I guess I'm qualified to tell you something about Sagittarius. After all, my chart tone and ruler of my natal birth chart is Sagittarius plus my Moon and Saturn are in Sagittarius. So what does all that astrological stuff mean? Beats the hell out of me though I can tell you what it's like to live in all that Sagittarian energy. I'm very philosophical which nicely balances out my anal retentive Virgo focus on the little details. I'm also cursed in that it's impossible to ignore the pain in the world so I can get in a real funk. Thanks to my spiritual teacher, White Elk, I've since learned how to channel that grief and guilt (yeah, somehow I'm responsible for it all, too) into healing energy for both the world and me.

All that Sagittarius must be why I need a lot of open space to gallop in, emotionally, mentally and physically. When a big problem pops up, my instinct is to blow it all off and roam the Earth like Cain in Kung Fu. I knew exactly what the character played by Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction meant when he said that. I used to think the answers I sought were just beyond the next hill or at the top of the mountain until I figured out that both the problems and the answers were within me the whole time. So now I stay home and astral travel instead. Nevertheless, I still want to see what's over the next ridge in both the physical and astral realms!