Isis Metaphysical Books & Gifts E-Newsletter December 2006
IN THIS ISSUE:• CREATING YOUR OWN MAGICAL PARADIGM • THE SPIRITS AND GHOSTS OF YULE • YULE (OR CHRISTMAS) GIFT IDEAS • THE SABBAT OF YULE • DECEMBER'S FEATURED DECK: MANGA TAROT • INGRID JEFFRIES' MAGICAL ASTROLOGY FOR DECEMBER • ELSBETH PRYER DIEHL'S ASTROLOGY FORECAST FOR DECEMBER< • DECEMBER'S FEATURED BOOK: MAGICKAL CRAFTS • DECEMBER'S MUSIC SELECTION: WINTER'S KNIGHT CD • DECEMBER'S SPECIAL FEATURE: FABULOUS SPIRAL BOUND JOURNALS 
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CREATING YOUR OWN MAGICAL PARADIGM
by Fran Carey
or, "Box? What box?" 
The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines "paradigm" as example or pattern, in other words, the preprinted line in the copy book that the student is expected to replicate. Modern usage expands that to a way of seeing, being and doing things, a culturally defined set of behaviors or thought processes. As students, we blindly copy along with the instructor(s), which is proper and necessary during our learning phase. After all, as the old adage goes, "Perfect practice makes perfect."
But what about after the initial student phase? Yes, one hopes one continues to learn throughout this life and those that follow, but what about when the best way to learn becomes to teach? Does one continue to teach the rote lessons one learned, or are there new things to be incorporated, as one's various paths of study coalesce into new visions and new ways of thinking about things? Perhaps that's one of the aspects of the much-discussed spiritual paradigm shift of our age. East meets West, North meets South, a giant Traveller's Plaza on the Information Superhighway, as well as on the higher planes. And you have to design your own vehicle in which to travel. You may even design your own road, your own Magical Paradigm. Go here to read this article in its entirety...  THE SPIRITS AND GHOSTS OF YULE
by Montague Whitsel
The Winter Solstice has long been associated with ghosts and sprits in Pagan as well as Christian Traditions. "Christmas" has its ghosts, as does the Yule; when there are spirits behind every door and in every closet as well as dancing in the flames of candles and hearth-fires. What are these spirits and who are these ghosts, and why are mortals haunted in the tides of Winter's Solstice? In this article we will explore these questions, becoming acquainted with some of the more traditional Yuletide ghosts in Celtic traditions as well as reclaiming one of the more well-known spirit entities in our secular western "December Holiday" celebrations. We are all familiar with 'Christmas' ghost stories - from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to Tim Burton's "The Nightmare before Christmas." I have often been asked, though, why there should be ghosts and hauntings at this time of the year when many people want to be focused on family, the return home (either actual or in their imaginations) and deeper quests for personal and spiritual renewal. "Isn't Samhain (31 October)the night of haunting?" Go here to read this article in its entirety... YULE (OR CHRISTMAS) GIFT IDEAS
by Isis Staff
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Yule, Mithras' or Jimmy Buffett's Birthday in December, deciding what to give your friends and relations can be fun! Here are a few of our favorite things, in the form of the Isis staff's Wish List. Maybe some of these will be just the ticket for those on your list, too. Go here to read this article in its entirety... THE SABBAT OF YULE
by Karen Charboneau-Harrison
Many Christmas customs and much of our Christmas music of any antiquity originated in the Western European Pagan celebrations of Yule. Customs attached to the Yuletide constellation of Saints' Days: Stephen, Basil, Nicholas, Lucia, Barbara, Sylvester and the Epiphany derive almost entirely from Yule. There is a richness of customs concerning food, fires, plants, animals, wild birds, stars, mummers, music, magic, clothing, angels, social roles, gifts, lights, auguries and so on, endlessly. Imagine the figure of baby Dionysos, newborn of Demeter or Persephone (depending on which myths you read), lying swaddled on a bed of straw in a harvest basket on the threshing floor, his head surrounded by a gold nimbus (halo) looking exactly like the Christ-child in the crèche and evoking the same feelings of love and mystery as does the image of the Baby Jesus born in the stables. Go here to read this article in its entirety... DECEMBER'S FEATURED DECK: MANGA TAROT
by Riccardo Minetti
A tarot of transitions, with the four seasons depicted as a metaphor for life's changes, and executed in the style of Japanese graphic novel artwork. Contains: 78 cards with instruction booklet. Go here to view full-colored, actual-sized samples of this deck.... MAGICKAL ASTROLOGY FOR DECEMBER
INGRID JEFFRIES
Ingrid Jeffries is a professional astrologer and tarot
intuitive offering taped consultations by phone, or in her office located
outside of Golden, Co. She also teaches classes in Astrology, Tarot, Dream
Interpretation, and Archetype Symbolism. . If you would like to know more
about her go to
www.northstarastrology.net or call 303 697-8309.
ASTROLOGY FORECAST FOR DECEMBER
ELSBETH PRYER-DIEHL
ELSBETH PRYER DIEHL, C.A.P. (Certified Astrological Professional) has been a consulting Astrologer for over 30 years. In addition to personal counseling and tutoring, she presents workshops and study groups in the Denver/Boulder area, is a founding member of CAPA (Colorado Association for Professional Astrologers) and is currently assistant Director of ROMA (Rocky Mountain Astrologers, formerly Colorado Fellowship of Astrologers). Truly a brilliant and gifted Astrologer, ISIS is proud to feature her quarterly Astrological Forecast. For in-person or telephone appointments or questions, call 303-443-2413.
DECEMBER'S BOOK OF THE MONTH: MAGICKAL CRAFTS
by Kristen Madden
Do you love to celebrate? Do you need more playful creation and fun in your life? Are you looking for new ideas for decorations, gifts, or ways to honor Divinity on the holidays and other special days? Magickal Crafts is about creating joy in your life by opening it to Divine inspiration. Filled with beautiful, magickal crafts and delicious recipes, this is a book for everyone, from experienced craftspeople to those who are all thumbs.
DECEMBER'S MUSIC SELECTION: WINTER'S KNIGHT
by Nox Arcana
Classic music for the season, as well as some new compositions, with Nox Arcana's signature haunted sound. Sepulchural and enchanting! To listen to on-line samples of this CD, go here... SPECIAL FEATURE FOR DECEMBER: FABULOUS SPIRAL BOUND JOURNALS
Hard resin front covers and padded back covers highlight these journals, which have lined pages and measure 5½ x 8½". Perfect for use as a diary or a Book of Shadows. To order the Pentagram Journal, go here... To order the Dragon Pentagram Journal, go here... |
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