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Firepit Update Letters
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News from the Fireside: *Warning - I seem incapable of keeping things *brief*
Since the weather has been so biting and bitter, I’ve had a lot of time to spend indoors. In an effort to distract myself from this seemingly endless winter, I’ve continued to devote a lot of time to my keyboard. When I redesigned the Firepit last spring, by coincidence it was ready to upload on Beltane. (Well, I don’t believe in coincidence... let’s call it serendipity.) Since the new Firepit was "lit" at Beltane, I originally thought it would be nice to have an update at each of the Sabbats.
Well, clearly I’ve been updating the Firepit far more often than that. It got to the point where updating the Firepit didn’t even feel like an "occasion" anymore... and not that any of you said anything, but I starting to feel like I was pestering you with my "latest news". Just because *I'm* excited by it, doesn't mean *you* are. So when I added some new material at Imbolc, I originally decided not to create an update letter. But now I do have a few items that I think are news-worthy.
The first thing that I’m really proud of is that the Firepit was just given another web award! The webmaster of www.PaganPoet.com, a community writing forum that I’m a member of, apparently visited the Firepit unannounced and surprised me with this award. Lots of places will simply give you web awards if you ask them, as a means of "advertising" their site, but being given an unsolicited award like this really made my day.
Also, the Firepit is now an official "Community Site Member" of the Wicca, Witchcraft, & Paganism International Community Forum. http://www.inthemist.org/forum/index.php The host of this Forum was the first to offer the Firepit web awards a few months ago. This is a wonderful online community, with hundreds of active, thoughtful members from all over the world. As a Community Site Member, the Firepit now has a banner in rotation at the Forum, allowing visitors and forum members a direct link to the Firepit. You can now find a direct link to the forum from both my front page (in the left pane) as well as from my links page.
And with one thing and another, word of the Firepit seems to be spreading. As of yesterday, February 5th, the Firepit had its 3,000th visitor! Ever since Beltane, I’ve watched the number of visitors climb steadily. I now regularly get over a hundred visits per week. Imagine what my web-counter will say by Beltane! Perhaps it sounds too much like bragging, but I’m thrilled that my work continues to reach so many people in so many positive ways.
While I’m at it, here’s a brief rundown on the latest additions:
War & Pacifism - I posted this article online two weeks ago, and was completely blown away by the outpouring of feedback I got on it. It clearly resonated very strongly with many people. By far, this article has created more comment than any other I’ve ever written.
Imbolc Peace Prayer - With all of the discussion about war that I stirred up with the previous article, this prayer for peace was penned on Imbolc morning.
Yoga & Paganism - This is an article that I’ve meant to write for a long time. I haven’t sent this one off for submission anywhere yet, so I’m still awaiting feedback. *hint, hint* :)
Intuition - Why we need it, how to develop it. Another article written exclusively for the Firepit.
Sacred & Profane: Drawing the Line - This article was written for the Witches’ Voice (
www.witchvox.com) and was featured there beginning January 22>nd. I believe that’s the sixth article of mine that they’ve posted. I’ve recently decided to thank them for their support by becoming a Sponsor. For all they do for the community, they certainly deserve our support.
I’ve now posted three new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) mini-essays on the topics of:
Psychometry,
Channeling versus Astral Travel, and
Karma. I’ve also revised and updated my
Recommended Reading List, my "
Testimonials" page (I collect compliments!), and the
Publishing Credits page. You can find direct links to all of the above articles from the front page, in the update section on the right.
Thank you all for being so patient with yet another long, gossipy letter.
Brightest of Imbolc Blessings to you all!
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