Dusty Grimoire, October 2003

Many Wiccans celebrate the beginning of their spiritual year on October 31. In some traditions the Samhain holiday marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. In ancient days the Celts saw Samhain as the end of the year, and November 1 as a whole month unto itself. Then the year began on November 2. Some traditions still see Yule, the time of the birth of the god as the beginning of the new year.

However you view it, we all see the wheel of the year inexorably turning on, and in the northern hemisphere this time of year means the falling leaves as the Mother Earth begins her winter slumber. We must prepare for the dark times as well. This is a season for reflection and remembrance. It is a good time to take stock of where you are and evaluate your path. Plans for the coming year can be made and seeds planted so when the wheel turns to spring and rebirth, you can bring forth new growth in your life as well.

Whether you see this as the end of the old year, the beginning of the new year or just another part of the turning wheel…as we journey into the time of Thanksgiving, Yuletide, and Christmas, we would like to wish you a happy holiday season with all your plans and preparations.

Send your editorial comments to The Enchanted Willow, 418 SW 6th, Topeka KS 66603-3110. We will attempt to publish them as space permits.

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The Dusty Grimoire is published erratically, that means whenever we get around to doing it.... grin.

Staff:
Editor: Jim Mosher
Writer: Bert Miller
Store Manager: Don Dellenbaugh

Calendar of Events:

November 8, Saturday: Full Moon, the mourning moon.

November 15, Saturday: Psychic readings by Jo Flowers at The Enchanted Willow. 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

November 23, Sunday: New Moon Discussion at The Enchanted Willow , 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Okay, so everyone knows that the malls and big stores are always swamped the day after Thanksgiving. Some stores open extra early on that day and shoppers fight to get through the doors to kick, stomp and pull hair over their latest holiday purchases. Over the past six years we have always opened the day after Thanksgiving to find that just because we are downtown, we almost never get a single customer on that day.

So, this year, why kick and stomp and pull hair at the mall or on the "west side?" You can shop for your unique Yuletide gifts at Topeka 's favorite witch store in the peace and quiet that pervades our quaint little shop on the supposedly busiest shopping day of the year. In fact we'll even throw in an added bonus. All books will be 20% off on Friday, November 28^th only. Here's your chance to pick up that copy you've been wanting and to save a couple of bucks as well.

We'll even extend this sale to any special order books. If we don't have it in stock we'll give you the 20% off price if you order it on Friday the 28th and just put 10% down toward the purchase price. How's that for a holiday special? See you there!

Also known as Purple Coneflowers, Echinacea Purpurea is a remarkable herb. It is often grown in gardens both for its attractive flowers and for its medicinal use as an herb. The herb had long been used by the plains Indians as a remedy for snakebite, the bite of poisonous insects, as well as using the juice to soothe burns. In the 1920s the herb was packages as an anti-infection drug by Lloyd Brothers, a pharmaceutical company, but it has since been replaced by many other, more effective agents.

Echinacea as an herbal supplement is often found packaged with Goldenseal and sold as a remedy for symptoms of colds and flu in many health food stores. Although Enchanted Willow sells both the herb (leaf) and the root, the root is actually the more effective for medicinal use. The roots of the plant contain caffeic acid glycoside, a substance which reacts with other substances in the body's cells to facilitate wound healing. In folk medicine it has been used as a "blood purifier" and has been used on a wide range of ailments including rheumatism, streptococcus infections, bee stings, poisonous snake bites, dyspepsia, tumors, syphilis, gangrene, eczema, hemorrhoids and other pains and wounds.

According to Herbal Gold by Madonna Sophia Compton, when Echinacea is taken during the early part of flu season, the herb tends to strengthen the body against germs. It helps by releasing toxins, cleansing the lymph system, normalizing with blood cell count and attacking bacteria. She suggests boiling 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in 1 ½ cups of water, for about 15 minutes. The dosage she recommends is 1 tablespoon 3-6 times a day or 15-30 drops of the tincture every few hours, or 2-4 capsules several times a day when fighting infections.

Please remember, self diagnosis and treatment should never be used in place of visiting a qualified physician if you have a serious illness.

Join our lively discussion group. MoonShadow Coven will sponsor a New Moon Discussion Group at The Enchanted Willow. This month they will be meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23. To choose a topic for discussion, questions and ideas will be put in a cauldron and then chosen at random. Come and bring your ideas, questions and suggestions for discussion, or just listen and enjoy a new point of view. A $2.00 donation is requested to help pay for refreshments.

Bring the winter sunlight into your home with beautiful rainbows. Hang a sparkling leaded crystal in a southern window and celebrate the fascinating light show that appears on your walls, ceiling and floor. Your cats will love you. Enchanted Willow as a variety of shapes in leaded crystals to dangle in your sunny windows and brighten the winter months with rainbows. The above photo shows some of the ones available (Top row, l to r: Cathedral, Draedel; Middle row, l to r: Cushion, Snowflake, Small ball; Bottom row, l to r: Mystic, Crescent moon, Large ball), prices vary.


Novber 2003		Volume 2 Number 4