Hello All Yesterday it was 88 degrees at one point, this morning it is 41, no wonder I woke up a bit chilled in the middle of the night and had to close windows. Iowa weather, got to love it, you don’t like it, wait a minute it will change. The cool air has the cats making up for the last couple days of dozing, now you would swear they are spring loaded. Earlier this week my husband was back home for a few days before he headed back out once more. I miss him a lot while he is gone and it was wonderful to have him home if only briefly. We spent a lot of time reconnecting, which was desperately needed (at least from my point of view.) He also brought gifts when he came home. Here soon I am going to have to consecrate a new athame. I’m getting up into serious knives here. (And here a few years ago I wouldn’t use anything sharper then a letter opener.) Two days ago the girls brought in some fresh catnip. The cats were very happy. Mom, Mom , they have the good stuff. Give me. Give me. Cali ended up in la la land. My mint is starting to come up rather nicely as several other of my herbs. I love this time of year. Last night, when I should have been writing, I was also messaging with someone. We were talking about his work and the weather and he did one of those classic moments, which sends a person off into peels of laughter (or at least it did me.) He messaged to me “I wore only a t-shirt to work today.” I started teasing him about that cause it was an interesting mental image. He quickly messaged he was wearing jeans and boots of course too but it was too late. He finally told me I was naughty. All I could do was grin cause I found it funnier then hell. Anyway I need to finish this up so I can do the other things I need to do today. Remember folks submissions are always gratefully received. (Yes this is a hint.) Until next time, Sheila K. Watkins Editor: Whispers of a Stone Circle See last page of this newsletter for submission guidelines, forwarding guidelines, where you can subscribe to Whispers and copyright information. ~*~*~*~ The Lady © Torch Locklear 1996 Her moist body glowing under the moon. Her auburn hair clinging to her back. The child runs across the field returning from her nocturnal swim. Her sweaty body glistens by the hearth light. Her face joyous and contorted with the effort. The woman pushes her child screaming into the new world. Her auburn hair now gone gray. Her eyes sparkling with the wisdom of age. The crone dispenses her knowledge to those who will hear her. ~*~*~*~ Cool Link(s) of the week: American Folklore http://www.americanfolklore.net/ "contains retellings of American folktales, Native American myths and legends, Tall Tales, weather folklore and ghost stories from each of the 50 states." Earth and Sky Radio Series http://www.earthsky.com/ This site features a daily chart of celestial events, tonight's sky, how-to and pronunciation guides, articles on earth science, astronomy, and environmental sciences, a FAQ for space and science questions, and tips for teachers. ~*~*~*~ Sexy and Self-Confident By Sheila K. Watkins This is mostly aimed towards the women readers but men are encouraged to read it as well. I admit a lot of this article is focused on the physical as well but that is because for a lot of women it is the weak spot. One of the most important tools for a witch is self confidence, it is part of know yourself. Unfortunately in our society there is a lot of things out there designed to bring you down. Studies have shown looking at a fashion magazine for even a few minutes encourages women to judge themselves poorly in comparison. 90 percent of women do not look like models but somewhere along the line we got it into our heads we had to look like them to be desirable. So you have women starving themselves because they are too fat when they are a normal weight for themselves. You have plastic surgery to fix every slight “flaw.” We have basically been sold a bunch of crap. Now admittedly there are guys out there who will encourage that mindset but there are also a lot of them who aren’t looking for perfection. I actually hear more complaints about too bony women then too heavy. (Except on television.) One complaint I have heard a lot is “why won’t she believe me when I tell her she is sexy? Desirable?” etc. It is because in our head we have this list of flaws. If I was only 10 pounds lighter, if only I was a bit bigger in the chest, if only my hips were smaller, then I would be sexy. I can’t be sexy my legs aren’t shaved or I am dressed in a scruffy old robe and not silk. Of course what is perfect and what is sexy? I am above average in height and weight, relatively speaking I have shorter legs then my torso. But guess what. My husband thinks I am beautiful and sexy. When I was single and dating, I had no problem being asked out, once I was out on my own. I had several marriage proposals also before I accepted the one from my husband. Am I what society says is perfect, no, but in several sets of eyes I look(ed) damn good. Am I sexy. Yeah I am although not cause I was told so. I am sexy cause I am confident in myself. Want the best tip for being sexy? If someone gives you a compliment smile, say thank you and act like you believe it even if deep in your heart you believe it is a load of BS. (Don’t say I know though then you just appear stuck up.) Put yourself in the other person’s place, if you tell someone “I like your ____” how does it make you feel when they brush it off, not likely to give more right. Of course not many people can accept compliments gracefully, I blame the puritan mindset of our country, humility is a virtue, no one is supposed to think they look ok cause God said so and we were never taught it was ok to accept a compliment. Another pitfall is the dreaded. “do I look fat in this” question. From what I have been told that question can send a strong man cowering. Part of the time when they say “no” they aren’t believed but if they said “yes” they would make someone either cry or angry. My suggestion is avoid asking it. Chances are you notice and dislike those few extra pounds a 100 times more then he does. Basically what the question does to is focus your attention on a perceived flaw. Also if you don’t want to hear the answer to a question, don’t ask it. Is my nose too big? Are my breasts too small? If someone is in a close enough relationship with you to ask these questions, they probably liked how you looked from the start. Lets face it, you don't go out with someone more then once usually unless you are attracted to them in some way shape or form. So what I am saying is confidence or at least the appearance of it is one of the sexiest things about a person. So how do you help build up your self-confidence. First off avoid putting yourself down. Next I have placed some exercises which will help if they are done correctly. Remember do physical as well as non physical compliments. (I am smart. I am talented at _____. I am good at ______. I am pretty. I am sexy. I am ______. Add your own as well.) I will warn you the bead exercise can be a very powerful experience. I have had people break down and cry. The looking in the mirror can be difficult as well. Bead Exercise Items needed: 40 beads of any type color or shape you want A cord, ribbon, or thing thread that will thread through the bead and longer then needed to hold all the beads A needle, if needed to string the beads on the cord String the first bead. Tie it on the cord towards one end. Say something nice about as you tie it in place. Make sure it's something truly nice about you. I.E. "I am Pretty" NOT "I don't scare small children." "I am smart" NOT "Well I am not too stupid" Now comes the hard part. String 38 more beads saying 38 more nice things about you. You can repeat things. Do try to add, "I am confident" in there a couple times at least. String on the fortieth bead tie it in place at least 3 to 4 bead lengths from the others. You want to have a bit of sliding room. Make sure you add a fortieth nice thing about yourself as you tie the bead into place. Now at least once a day every day for at least a month straight use the string. Say something nice about yourself with each bead. It works best right before bed but can be said at any time. Next exercise. Stand nude in front of a mirror and look at yourself really look at yourself and start telling yourself "I have pretty eyes" "I have a sexy ____" "I am not an object but a wonderful desirable woman" Also tell yourself "I love you" while looking at yourself in the mirror. I say at least a month but keep doing these exercises until you _know_ you are the things you have been telling yourself not just believe it. The third exercise is to start looking up artistic pictures and photos of women done over the centuries. Avoid the fashion magazines though. You want to look at real women, old, young clothed and nudes. See the beauty in the female body. Now I admit I am not perfectly happy with all my attributes but I know that doesn't stop me from being desirable, sexy, or confident that I can attract positive notice when and if I want. ~*~*~*~ Announcement(s): Hey everyone! My apologies for not getting this out sooner. Poor timing and a horrible internet connection made it impossible for me to get the latest title out to you. Because of this, we'll extend the date for you to return this by the same amount of days. See the rules section for dates and titles. Rules: The challenge begins upon your receipt of this letter. You have until Saturday May 4, 2002 to send your work back to me at my email which is madrigel@avalon.net You may not show your work to anyone until after the challenge date has passed. (In other words, not until Sunday, May 5). All authors retain their copyright of their work. Its only publication will be among the contest participants. Any further publication of your works may occur after the challenge date only, and only by each individual poet's choice. There you have it.... The working title of this poem is: "Change" Happy writing! Kate ***** MM All! The info on the SummerSong 2002 festival, hosted by the same fine people who put on the Avalon invitation each year, is finally available on a website. Spots are beginning to fill and the early bird registration deadline is quickly approaching. You can see the info, the presenters, and check out the cabins and the price of registration here. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn with other wicce solemnis (dedicated witches) in a wonderful, intimate environment! Check out SummerSong by clicking below. http://www.suwalker.com/summersong2002.htm For those of you on other lists, can you please forward this to others in the USA and Canada! Thanks! Blessed Be, Mira Cetus PS -- I've been to the camp where this is going to be held, it's LOVELY! If you have questions, you can call me...I'll be teaching beginning and intermediate psychic skill development at SummerSong this year. 515-292-6038. ~*~*~*~ Writer's Biographies: Torch: This 30-year-old Pisces/Aries Rat uses the labels Father, Witch, and Pagan, amongst others, to describe himself. A life-long Florida resident (thus far), he has completed his first novel (with a partner) and is shopping it around for publishing. He has studied many paths and incorporated elements of most into his own dance through life. "I am human. I am witch. I am contradiction," says Torch. Sheila K. Watkins knew from the time she was 15 that she wanted to be a writer but did not really start writing until she entered college where she worked on her college newspaper and also worked as the editor of the feature section for one semester. She was also introduced to the love of writing poetry at this time. Fortunately for all of us most of the poems have been lost to the world of men. After college she worked several jobs during the next few years but none included writing. It wasn’t until after both of her children had started school in 1998 that she went back to her love of putting words on a computer screen. Her first submission was accepted by publication by the IOWAN newsletter and it started her on the path of truly honing her work. In October of 2000, she founded and became editor of Whispers of a Stone Circle. ~*~*~*~ Submissions are always welcomed and can be made to: Zeliziw@netins.net In submitting materials writers are agreeing that if accepted I may post them in the newsletter and on the web page (whenever I finally get back to work on it.) Works submitted must be the writer’s own work and they must still retain the copyright OR it must be verifiably public domain. Works can have been published before but please nothing that has been around over and over again. Copyright remains in the author’s possession. The Author also realizes that they will not be paid. (If I had money I would be hosting this on something other then Yahoo.) If a submission is accepted, I will check for punctuation, capitalization and spelling in submitted articles. I will fix minor errors if they are present. I will NOT reword things (except for an occasional “an” for “a” and vice versa.) Poems are published as submitted. Forwarding information: If you chose to forward this newsletter, do so in its entirety, including copyright and contact information. People may subscribe to Whispers of A Stone Circle at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhispersOfAStoneCircle/ All articles, poems, etc, except where noted are copyrighted by the writers and are used with permission. They are not to be republished without the express permission of the writers. Contact information may be obtained by contacting the editor of Whispers of A Stone Circle at Zeliziw@netins.net Copyright (c) 2002 Sheila K. Watson. All Rights Reserved