New Moon Risings

WebWeaver has gotten two new features…

Book of Light Returns - Now, when you search a term, results directly from the Book of Light will be presented in a column to the right of the regular results. We hope that this will help folks who are looking for information.

Expandable Returns - Search returns can now be expanded to show specific pages within a site returned among the search results. Expand a return by clicking the + to the left of the site title.

Usually when I update Activ8 my husband heads for the hills because I end up so disgusted and outraged at the things humans do that I either yell and scream or have us installing some new eco-friendly device around the house.

Today was a bit different. Our new headline discusses Dirty Gold and while I was disheartened to see the effects that metal mining (and all mining for that matter) has on the environment, living conditions and economic stability I managed to take heart in the fact that we don’t own any gold or precious gems. I just don’t like them and I can’t see spending money on a $9000 engagement ring when I could do so much more with that money…for once being cheap helped us to not contribute to an industry that pollute, destroys and pillages. Check out Activ8 to see the destruction I am talking about and please follow the link and add your name to those who have pledged to help put an end to the practice of mining dirty gold.

Along the left side of Activ8, you will find a link to help you recycle your old cell phone. I had no idea that there were so many toxic metals in cell phones or that 130 million of them were thrown away each year! Holy crap! This is another case in which frugality helps me and my husband save the environment…neither of us have ever had a cell phone, pda, blackberry, blah, blah…and we manage to survive!

While you’re there, do check out the new flash move (found along the left side as well), It’s Store Wars, the battle between Cuc and Dark Potato and it’s a hoot…with a good message of course!

I also added a few links to Misc and I fooled around with the color scheme to make it a more environmentally friendly green.

Helikas has gotten a make over and it was about time! Just an updating of the layout and navigation, a small project but an improvement that was overdue.

We decided to allow Helikas to focus on hosting alone and do site templates, graphics and web development as freelance projects only.

Charity was always the intent behind Helikas but when we reviewed the donations made possible by client subscriptions through 2006, we were stunned! We are already planning further donations in February and will keep you abreast of where your money is going, just check back here!

Speaking of money, always a touchy subject but less sensitive (we hope) since the money is going to charity…minimal increases in the cost of plans have been implemented. Please note these changes if you are a recurring subscriber.

Thank you all again for all the donations you have made possible.

Chapter I Ancient Worlds

The encyclopedia of deities, containing over 1,600 entries, has been moved to Chapter V Deities, Myths & Heroes

Brief summaries about 15 cultures have been added to the maps depicting the area in which that culture thrived.

New Featured Articles

Earth Energy: Ley Lines examines whether these fabled tracks are trading routes or spirit pathways.

Legendary Library at Alexandria tells the tale of how this famed center of learning came to be.

Group Unearths Part of Ancient University reports on recent archeological excavations going on in Alexandria.

Chapter II Bookshelf

Gardnerian Book of Shadows 1957 An excerpt from The Rebirth of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente discussing Ms. Valiente’s contribution to the Gardnerian Book of Shadows sets straight in the author’s own words how the revisions of the BoS came to be and why they were done.

Recommended Reading has been divided into categories to make finding just the right book easier and a few book reviews and downloads have also been added.

Book Reviews

Women of the Golden Dawn Mary K. Greer

Progressive Witchcraft Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone

Elements of Ritual Deborah Lipp

More book reviews are in the works.

Downloads

Riders of the Crystal Winds Book of Shadows ZIP File

Gemstone Healing Properties PDF

Chapter III Candle Magic

Fire Scrying Methods for scrying with candles or fire explained

Sand Candles Instructions for creating your own sand candles

Hand of Glory Information and lore surrounding the infamous and powerful Hand of Glory.

Purification by Fire Meditation for purification using a candle as the focus.

Chapter IV Correspondences

Informatin regarding the Chinese Elements has been greatly expanded.

Chapter V Deities, Myths & Heroes

This entire chapter is new and was inspired when we decided to move our Encyclopedia of Deities out of Ancient Worlds and into its own chapter. The Encyclopedia is divided into 9 cultures or can be browsed by letter or searched.

Myths

Demeter & Kore Original retelling of the abduction of Kore and her mother’s subsequent search.

Emerging from the Abyss Egyptian creation myth from Hermopolis

White Buffalo Calf Woman Lakota legend of the eventual return of White Buffalo Calf Woman

Prometheus’ Sacrifice Original retelling of the Titan’s gift to mankind that cost him dearly.

Star of Earth Chippewa tale of a celestial being that dreams of living on earth.

Heroes & Bios

The Furies Biography of the fantastic Greek beings that dispensed justice when the law could not.

Greek Family Tree Graphic display of the relationships between major and some minor Greek Divinities.

12 Labors of Herakles The labors of the greatest of Greek heroes. (Roman Hercules)

Chapter VI Ethics

Alternative Craft Laws Modern version of laws to define the practice of the Craft

Featured Articles

Do as You Will Exploration of the true meaning of these four simple words.

Exegesis on the Wiccan Rede Analysis of the Wiccan Rede by Judy Harrow of Proteus Coven.

Chapter XIII Mental Magic

Two new visualization exercises, based in practical experience, that can be done anytime, anywhere have been added.
With a Child’s Eyes
Word Visions

Chapter XIV Ritual Tools

Featured Articles

Earth Altar Creating an earth altar from simple objects found around the home.

Fire Sticks An exciting, if unusual, ritual tool and directions for their construction.

Chapter XVII Wheel of the Year

Months of the Year Information and lore surrounding the months of the year has been greatly expanded.

Yule Log Recipe Instructions for creating your own, edible Yule Log. Easy, easy and I mean EASY!

Indoor Bonfire Directions for crafing an indoor bonfire using flowers.