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Firepit Update Letters
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October 25, 2003
As the frosted leaves fall, and the last of the harvest is gathered in, we put aside the past and prepare for the new year to come.
This Samhain sees a few major changes around the Firepit. Most notably, the Firepit has now been officially moved to it’s own home at www.flamesfirepit.org! The Firepit outgrew it’s former home several months ago, so the time was right. But moving a site as large as the Firepit is no simple task. I’d appreciate your feedback and comments as I continue to expand content and make improvements. Please remember to update your bookmarks and pass the word!
Although much of this past cycle has been spent on the mechanics of moving the Firepit to it’s new home, there are several other new features that I’d like to draw your attention to.
First, I’m very proud to announce the return of the “Community Knowledge” section, which had been withdrawn over a year ago to conserve space. There, I plan on featuring the thoughts and views of others within the Pagan community. The restoration of this area of the Firepit was inspired by a Vision that was shared by a community elder named Thermal. His Vision pierces the darkness of humanity with a blinding ray of truth. I’m proud to feature this at the Firepit, and I encourage you all to hear the wisdom of his words.
In addition, I’m proud to feature a thoughtful essay on the nature of Initiation, written by John Stitely, a Gardnerian Wiccan. John’s views led me to a deeper understanding of this subject, and I’m glad to share them with you here.
Is the next full moon the “Beaver” moon, the “Dark” moon, or the “Moon When Horns Are Broken Off”? Now you’ll know. I’m delighted to offer up a list of Full Moon names according to many different cultures, compiled by Trine Nordeng. All of these writers have graciously given me permission to share their words around the Firepit, and I thank them.
I’ve also chipped in a few new items for this update. In response to some helpful feedback, the vocabulary discussion on the words ‘Wizard’ and ‘Warlock’ has been revised and expanded. For all you Star Trek fans out there, I’ve added an item to the Humor section that made the rounds lately. In the Anecdotes section, I’ve added a piece called “Fertile Dark: When the Tide Withdraws”, which describes the part of all spiritual growth that resides in stillness and nonaction. It matches the mood of the Samhain season, when the earth withdraws Her energy in preparation for the winter to come.
Finally, circumstances have forced me to set up a Guestbook at the Firepit. The good news is that it’s a much nicer one, with more features. The bad new is that I’ve lost all of the thoughtful comments that have been added in the past few years. I most humbly ask all of you who visit the Firepit to please take a moment and share your thoughts with me. I’d really appreciate it!
May you all enjoy the “fertile darkness” of the season, and find your new year filled with the fulfillment of your greatest joys! Happy Samhain!
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