Willow Wiccan Family's blog: "Wiccan"

Just in case that you might be interested, here's the 2nd flier for the Halloween/Samhain Party weekend 2007... I'm not pushing it on people, it's just that last year we were late getting these out, so we are trying to be good about it this year, and the time frame is such that if I don't tell people about it now, they wait too long and then can't get the time off from work/jobs/family in order to attend. Biological Family are always welcome, and we are again allowing small children this year! We do this to allow more Parents, ( without reliable babysitters ), to attend... Arwythur ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Greetings fellow seekers.... I'm inviting you to attend our Samhain Gathering this October, 2007! This Gathering has come to be associated with, but not limited to, British Traditional Witchcraft and associated related Paths considered "Of Like Mind". Our immediate groups, which include "Prairie Moon Rising", ( a Traditional Gardnerian Coven of the Louisville Line of Gardnerians ), Working in tandem with "The Arthurians", have joined together to host a Samhain retreat/celebration. This Gathering has become the Annual Clan meeting for the Arthurian Tradition as well. Each year we host a camping event during the Last full weekend in October at Otter Creek Park, in Brandenburg Kentucky. This year it will be from the 25th thru the 28th of October. Originally, we limited this to those immediate Craft coven members, their students, and their immediate biological family for attendees. Last year, we have decided to open the invitation to those who are "Of Like Mind", be they friends of friends, or other groups associated with BTW. It is our intention to start a larger network of inter-communicating people, bringing together individuals, ( who may be practicing alone ), small isolated groups, and possibly even more of the larger well established groups, to share the fundamentals, theologies, and possibly even help guide newer learners to find their own paths.... The various denominations of Craft that consider themselves BTW, have far more similarities than differences... and we all should be able to set aside the petty personal politics found in the larger denominations to have a relatively calm, nice, sharing weekend. So, I have sent this letter to you, in hopes that you may consider joining us. Families are welcome, and children are encouraged to come and participate in the open circle on Saturday. Please consider joining us this year. If you are interested, read on.... if not, then thank you for your time.... Arwythur listed on Witchvox under Centralia, Illinois. http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_detail/dt_pa.html?a=usil&id=216269 And more information about the Arthurian Tradition: www.AirFireWaterandEarth.com ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Arwythur's Annual Samhain/Halloween Party in Kentucky...2007 Cost:It's still only $50.00 per person, all children under 16 are free of course. Dates: Thursday 11am,October 25th, ( 26th and 27th ), and out by 11am Sunday Morning the 28th... Includes: Camping for three nights. This isn't primitive, as there is a Dining Hall, A Bath house, and real flush potties.... so it's NOT that bad, but I want you to pack your stuff like your going to the desert! By that I mean literally! It's not uncommon in Louisville in October to be in the 80's during the day, and the 30's at night! Yes, it has snowed 10 inches at night, and was completely melted away the next day! True story!. I want you all to remember that you can bring and set up a tent if you wish, many people do, so that they can have some privacy. The cedar lined cabins sleep 16 people each and have electric baseboard heat! We will be sharing space, sometimes with people we Just Met! .... Also, It's best to remember to bring along with the the personal comfort items that you wish to have, such as your favorite brand of TP, your own soaps, shampoo's, Bath towels, etc.etc. If you plan for it, the weekend will go VERY smoothly I assure you. There will be a continuous bonfire if the weather permits, music, drumming, and singing....discussions that will be open to all in attendance, as well as questions and answers from the various Elders who will be there. We hope that the Round robin discussions will go on all weekend about every topic imaginable, and we will have a close friend and psychic giving tarot readings for those who may wish it....We will also be offering a Reiki First level, and a 2nd level class, for those wishing to learn the Art of Hands on Healing.... Please bring your drums, musical instruments, and songbooks if you wish....music is appreciated, and loved by the Gods. Also, feel free to dress up for the open ritual, it's the All Hallow's tradition.... there will be no public skyclad this year, as several people from "Other camps" may be walking through, and the Park Rangers and State Troopers Patrol the grounds all night long..sorry..... Unfortunately, I must ask for checks and/or money orders that will be cleared by the 15th of September 2007. If this is a problem please feel free to write and/or call me and we can discuss options, but NOT after the 20th of October. If money is tight, feel free to call me and we can work out a deal. Many people swap off their fee with small odd jobs around the campsite. Even though I rented the campsite as a "Family Reunion", I must have a listing of exactly who is there, with the real, mundane, names, addresses, phone numbers of family, etc. I can't get around that. I can promise though, that the lists will NOT be shared with anyone, ( unless of course there is an emergency situation, which then it will be on a "Need to know" basis only....). I do not want any surprises this year. Please do not bring anyone else along unless you have cleared it with me first. That is just common courtesy, and do to issues from the past, this will have to be enforced. I do not mind new people, or even people of like mind... but we will not allow anyone who may become a possible issue. But at this point, I will need your: Name(s) Craft Name(s) Age(s) Legal Address, ( no POBox's please...)...including state and zipcode... Personal Phone number, ( cell is fine ). Number to call in case of Emergency ICE# I will need this information for everyone in attendance, even if they are your guest, your relative/child, whatever. Please, I'm not able to read everyone's Hand of Writ.. so print legibly, or type, or use the 'Puter....please? Checks must be made out to: Arthur Michels... and in the item slot list "Otter Creek" Mail to: P.O.Box 1131, Centralia Illinois, 62801...or... 5295 Dix-Irvington Road, Walnut Hill Illinois, 62893.... I prefer that you send it to the P.O.Box, as the house mailbox isn't waterproof... THERE WILL BE NO REGISTRATIONS AT THE DOOR! PERIOD! NOT even my friends or family..... and of course we have removed the 16 year old age limit this year, so we'll be asking for help with the child care this year from all the Parents, and anyone else who may wish to volunteer.... Estimates/ educated guesses are at a solid 40 individuals for this year so far, but we may have more. The Kitchen Managers ( Thea and Steve ) will be in charge of any food you may wish to bring... there are two large refrigerators.... but like in school, keep stuff in bags with your name on it. Everyone has the right to choose and use a "Craft" name for this shindig... but I will need to know who is who....and I will respect people's wishes towards discretion..... I look forward to seeing and talking to you all face to face, and I will be sending along more information as I can get it... BTW...The campground is online at: http://www.loukymetro.org/ottercreekpark.asp Feel free to look it up to make your decision as to whether or not you'll come. We will be in the section designated as "Camp Tecumseh" Thank you again for your consideration in this. Arwythur... P.S. for questions call my cell at #217-622-4581 anytime, if I'm working I will say so and make arrangements to call you back, if not then we'll talk when you call..... Directions to Otter Creek Park: From the North Take I-65 through Louisville, and exit at #125 onto the Gene Snyder Freeway (841) West. Take the Fort Knox Exit (Exit 1).Turn left at the stoplight. Follow this road (31W or Dixie Highway), for 13.5 miles, to Muldraugh KY. At the stoplight in Muldraugh, turn right onto KY Highway 1638 and continue to Otter Creek Park (2.8 miles on the right). From the South: Take I-65 North to Elizabethtown KY and exit at #91. Get on 31W (Dixie Highway) North and go 22.1 miles to Muldraugh KY. At the stoplight in Muldraugh, turn left onto KY Highway 1638 and follow this road to Otter Creek Park (2.8 miles on the right). From the West: If you are coming from the west on I-64, you can get off at Corydon IN (exit 105) and avoid the Louisville traffic. Turn right (south) onto IN SR 135 for 16 miles. Cross the Matthew E. Welsh Bridge over the Ohio River. Continue going straight for 4.8 miles, until the road ends in a T. Turn right onto KY SR 448 East, and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto KY Highway 1638 and go 6.5 miles. Turn left into the main entrance of Otter Creek Park. I realize that this is alot of information, feel free to call if you need anything explained... Arwythur, c# ( 217 ) -622-4581 From the East: Follow the Gene Snyder Freeway (841) to the Fort Knox Exit (Exit 1). Turn left at the stoplight. Follow this road (31W South or Dixie Highway) for 13.5 miles to Muldraugh KY. At the stoplight in Muldraugh, turn right onto KY Highway 1638 and continue to Otter Creek Park (2.8 miles on the right). "Only One Candle left to Burn, Before the Darkness Comes"... Rev.Dr. Arthur M. Michels Jr. Artist/Craft name..."Arwythur" Send Mail to: P.O.Box 1131, Centralia Illinois, 62801 or to the house@: 5295 Dix-Irvington Rd. Walnut Hill, Il. 62893 New cell# (217) 622-4581 New House# (618) 532-4072

EFFICACY OF REIKI... My Teacher, Marsha...taught me about our Faith from the perspective of the Hard Sciences..and then we worked on Faith, trust in one's self...and Free Will. This is an example of how what we do as a people, ( Craft ), is actually measurable... even to a Scientist. Keep for your personal records... remember that all Arthurians should also be Reiki Practictioners... We will be having Reiki 1 and 2 classes again at Otter Creek this October... try to plan on attending. Granny says- If you don't know what happened or how it was done,it's Magic. If you don't know what happened, but you can do it and teach others to do it, it's Art. If you can come up with a reasonable explanation of what happened and call it repeatable, it's Science. And people will say- You can't tell me that happened, it's crazy. Well, you may want to call that an Art, but I won't spend money on it. Oh, that old thing, everybody knows how that was explained. And so, Science always tries to study the things that people keep doing, and sometimes they manage to educate us all, a little bit. There is no such thing as the Supernatural. It is always Nature doing something wonderful. But when it is confusing to us because it is way beyond our present understanding, we call it Supernatural. So here is a bit of Science that is illuminating the Magic we have been doing all along. Enjoy. Marsha THE EFFICACY OF REIKI HANDS-ON HEALING: IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLEEN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION AS QUANTIFIED BY ELECTRO-DERMAL SCREENING Barbara Brewitt, MDiv, PhD Co-Authors Tim Vittretoe, Reiki Practitioner Level II, BS Betty Hartwell, Reiki Master; LVN, LMT The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Reiki treatment on chronic illness. RESEARCH QUESTIONS/HYPOTHESIS Does hands-on Reiki improve health status of patients with chronic illness as evaluated by electrodermal screening? METHODS Five patients with multiple sclerosis (n=2), lupus, fibromyalgia, or thyroid goiter were given eleven one-hour Reiki sessions using four different Reiki Level Two practitioners and one Reiki master over 9 weeks. These Reiki practitioners systematically placed their hands over holding points of neurovascular regions on the cranium, neurolymphatic points on the trunk and minor chakra points on the limbs. During this time period, patients received no other new conventional or alternative medical treatments. All patients initially received three consecutive Reiki sessions which were followed by one Reiki session/week for 8 weeks. All Reiki practitioners were trained by the same Reiki Master who provided at least one session per patient. Positive outcomes were quantitatively evaluated by changes in electrical skin resistance measurements at acupuncture/conductance points using the Life Information System TEN (LISTEN) device, Busywork, Inc., Orem, UT. The LISTEN device measured two outputs: 1) maximum resistance (mix) produced in response to five volt stimulus; 2) rising slope (rise) which is the maximum resistance divided by the seconds of time to reach maximum resistance (Brewitt, J. Nat. Med. 1996 6:66-75). Conditions for LISTEN measurements were held as constant as possible. Results were reported as conductance, the inverse of resistance. All patients were measured 3 times: prior to their first session: after their third session, and their last session. Over forty skin points on the hands and feet were measured per LISTEN evaluation and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test. The eight points showing significance were further analyzed via Bonferonni statistical adjustments. RESULTS Out of the forty skin points measured per Session, only three showed significant differences before and after Reiki treatment. These three skin points correlate with acupuncture/conductance meridians of Spleen One, SPI, adrenal glands, THI and the cervical, thoracic region of the spine, NE2, i.e. points of the neuroendocrine-immune system. Prior to Reiki treatment, the mean conductance measurements at these three points were below the normal range of 45.0-55.0 relative units, indicating a chronic illness and depletion of Chi. The left side NE2 point statistically changed from 24% below normal to normal after the third Reiki (Pconductance meridians related to the neuroimmune system. SPI and NE2 significantly improved after eleven Reiki sessions compared to thirty-eight other skin conductance points associated with other organs of the body. The organ meridian of the adrenals, THI also demonstrated statistical improvement by the paired t-test, but lost this significance when Bonferonni statistical adjustments were made to account for small sample size or the possibility of a random chance finding. This study demonstrates a method for quantifying "subtle energy" improvements after treatment with techniques of hands-on healing not easily measured by conventional testing. All of these patients had chronic illnesses that would greatly benefit from greater immune and neuroendocrine functioning. Further study in this area with a larger sample size is warranted.