Introduction from the author: When Calafia asked me to serve as Public Information Officer for the local council, I thought it would be fun to write a column as a way of sharing news and information I gather throughout the year. What's Brewing is the result. It is my hope to provide you with a brief overview of what is currently brewing in the Wiccan community, and when possible, point you toward sites where you can obtain further information. I'll be awarding from one to five wands to those mentioned in my column who are Wiccan-friendly. The others will be the recipients of anywhere from one to five toads. We plan to update the column on a regular basis, so please visit us again soon.

Witches' Night Out: 
Calafia, the San Diego chapter of CoG, in association with Magical Acts Ritual Theatre, will be presenting a spectacular ritual event this year. Don't miss out on getting your tickets early for 'Oracles from the Living Tarot - Celebrating the Wheel of the Year.' The 15th annual event, held at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley, will sell out quickly. Cost is $13 for adults, and includes food, drinks, door prizes, and lots of fun. Get started on that costume, and don't forget to enter in the Witches' Hat Contest. Tickets are available at the following locations: Starcrafts in Ocean Beach, Le Sorciere on University, Raven's Loft in Escondido, and Kindred Spirit in Poway. For more information visit the Calafia web site. Click on Witches' Night Out at: http://members.home.net:80/dsfuller1/

Falwell's Fundamentalist Ranting: 
Most of you are probably aware of the inappropriate comments made by Jerry Falwell during an interview on the Christian TV program, The 700 Club, shortly after the devastating terrorist attacks on America, September 11th. Falwell blamed abortion rights supporters, homosexuals, Pagans, feminists, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the People for the American Way for the horrific attacks, saying God had lifted His curtain of protection from the nation because of such sinners. Falwell has since apologized for what he called 'insensitive' remarks, though I'm sure he was under considerable pressure to do so.
     Personally, I believe Jerry Falwell's remarks went beyond insensitive. They were diabolic and downright dangerous. This kind of radical fundamentalist rhetoric, no matter what religion spews it out, is the very foundation upon which hatred and violence is spawned. This kind of mindset eventually led to the extermination of thousands of Jews in Nazi Germany; the murder of innocent men and women accused of Witchcraft during the Dark Ages and beyond; the slaughter of innocent people throughout history, and the death of thousands of people on Sept.11th, 2001.
     His words were divisive at a time when this nation needed unity. His words were meant to incite anger and intolerance at a time when this nation needed spiritual healing and tolerant, rational thought. There is only one direction to point the finger of blame for the evil committed on Sept. 11th, and that is toward the terrorist organizations that are responsible.
     I don't have enough slimy toads to award Jerry Falwell for taking advantage of such a horrid tragedy to advance his own ideologies. How anyone can respect this man as a minister of the Christian faith is beyond my comprehension.

Raven's Loft Events: 
On Oct. 6th, author RJ Stewart will give an all day Underworld Initiation Workshop from10am to 5pm. Pre-Registration required. Cost is $100.00 per person. This is a practical workshop on relating to the spiritual powers of land, the underworld, and faery and ancestral realms.
     Oct. 11th, Lady Diana will teach Creating Sacred Space. Class is from 7 to approximately 9pm. Cost is $10 per person. This class will teach how to create sacred space for rituals, and is based in Gardnerian/Alexandrian traditions. Class includes setting altar and steps in casting the magickal circle. Participants must be either 1st degree initiated in an established coven or have completed a recognized Wicca 101 series. Pre-registration is required.
     Foster Holt will teach a class Oct. 17th on the ritual use of clay. Clay Play, a method of exploring the psyche, was inspired by Carl Jung's dream paintings and Z. Budapest's ritual use of clay. Foster Holt is a Wiccan elder of Hearthstone Coven and holds an arts degree in sociology. The class should fill quickly, so pre-register at the store soon if you are interested. Cost is $15 per class.
     Lady Diana will teach a class on Candle Magick on Thursday, October 18th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm; $15.00 per person. The class includes a brief history of candle magick, information on the use of colors, herbs, oils, and appropriate times, etc. to work candle magick. Students will participate in casting their own candle magick spell. Spell candles will be provided and one student will win a beeswax candle that will be dressed and worked for magick by Lady Diana during the class. Pre-registration is recommended.
     Oct. 19th will be a Witches' Scrying Circle and Pagan Singles Mixer with Lady Brenda from. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. $10.00 per person. Have your future for the New Year foretold through crystal ball, incense smoke, and magic mirror divination. Bring a tasty dish for the potluck after ritual.
     Marni A. Molina will give a Halloween Class for kids and family on Oct. 20th, from 2 to 3pm. Cost is $10.00 per child. Parent or guardian must attend class with the child.
     Oct. 27th will be a Magic Show with conjuror and illusionist Donald Michael Kraig. He will attempt to contact the spirit of the notorious occultist, Aleister Crowly. This sounds like an entertaining show not to be missed.
     Call the store for more information on any of these events at: 760-746-5636

Starcrafts Events: 
On Saturdays, Oct. 6th and 20th, from 1 to 3pm, Luanna will teach a class on Psychic Self Defense. Cost is $15 per class.
     Luanna will also be teaching a four week series on Sunday afternoons, beginning October 7th, from 1 to 3pm on Astral Projection. Cost is $15 per class. Classes include dream analysis, achieving an astral state, mastering the out-of-body experience, and contacting guides and other planes of existence.
     Wednesday evenings, from 7 to 9pm, Kathy Cybele and Thomas Robinson, HP and HPS of Circle of the Sacred Meadow, will be teaching their 10 week series on Wicca 101.
     Starcrafts has daily readings by appointment in Tarot and Runes, and Reiki Healing sessions are also available. Call the store for more information: (619) 224-4923

Kindred Spirit Events: 
Lady Diana, along with other ritual priestesses of Misty Vale Coven, will be holding rituals for esbats and sabbats each month at Kindred Spirit. A minimum donation of $5 is required. To have a ritual schedule emailed to you, please call Bethany at the store at: 858-513-1159.
     Beginning in January, Lady Diana will begin a 9 week series on Wiccan Ways. To see a syllabus of the classes, visit the Misty Vale web site and click on classes at: http://members.home.com/mpadilla

Plight of Women in Afghanistan: 
As Wiccans, we worship the Goddess. We are therefore concerned with the rights of women throughout the world. Most of us are aware of the subjugation of women in many fundamentalist Islamic societies, but I think many of us are only now learning the full extent of the inhumane treatment toward women living under Taliban rule, and the atrocities being committed against them daily. To educate yourself more on this subject, please visit the following web site. As worshippers of the Goddess in all Her guises, I believe we have a duty to at least learn all we can about these women's plight. Beyond that, I'm not sure what we can do at this time to help them. Hopefully the day will come when we can. http://hometown.aol.com/yahyam/page5/taliban.htm

Lady Diana
Lady Diana, HPS of Misty Vale Coven, is the current Public Information Officer for Calafia, local chapter of CoG. She teaches an ongoing series of Wiccan classes at Starcrafts in San Diego. You can contact her at mistyvale@home.com or visit the Misty Vale website at http://members.home.com/mpadilla

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