5 January 2008

All of the sudden there is so much to blog about...

WE NOW HAVE CAULDRONS! Yes, after six months of having none, all of our backorders finally came in. We've got big cauldrons, little cauldrons and just about everything in between. Some have pentacles on them, some the triple knot, some are plain and some have stripes.

Egad. This is starting to sound a bit like Dr. Seuss.

Anyway, we finally got them in.

Other news: the Imbolc issue of Magickal Ink has just been published and copies are available in the store.

The new Moonletters are also here. I'm working very hard to make sure there will be enough to last until the next issue, however, I do strongly recommend that if you want one you should pick one up sooner rather than later.

With regard to Fireside Chat: there will be one coming up this Friday January 11th. As of today (Saturday Jan 5) I do *not* have a facilitator booked. I really liked the energy of the Dec 28 Fireside - freeform, discussion based with everyone contributing. Interestingly enough, many people were so engrossed in the discussion that even though a break was called, only two people actually left the room (both to smoke)

That being said, I've been doing some thinking about the nature of Fireside Chats. Recently we have received some criticism about Fireside (and not just from our uber-cranky questionnaire respondant) saying that we've somehow strayed away from what Firesides used to be.

Which I find strange because I went to Firesides "back in the old days" when Jacqui and Annette were running things and, perhaps because my rose coloured glasses are out being drycleaned, I really don't see much of a difference with how Firesides are today compared to before. The only real difference I see is that neither Jacqui nor Terry have offered to facilitate lately (which is regrettable because they both have so much to teach us).

Both Ed and I welcome everyone, regardless of path (or lack thereof) and we do not try to impose our views on anyone. All we ask is that if people choose to attend, that they play nicely with everyone else who chooses to come. (Oh, and please, for gosh sake, *DON'T* flush paper towel down the toilet. Argh. What a mess!)

I wonder, then, if this dissatisfaction from some individuals stems from the fact that Ed and I are perhaps too easygoing? I do think that some people are much more comfortable with structure and, though I hesitate to say it, really prefer being told what to do, think, or be. Unfortunatley, neither Ed nor I are willing to fill that role. We are not looking for a following because we believe in community, accountability and, most importantly, thinking for oneself.

So, then, if that means that certain individuals do not come to Fireside anymore, well, that is too bad because I think everyone has important contributions to offer. That being said, I do hope these individuals find what they are looking for.