The Source for all things Wiccan, Pagan, Metaphysical, and Just Plain Odd Volume IV, Issue 1 -  January 2007 Informative articles, commentary, regular monthly features, and information on our website, store, and products. 34838 US Hwy 19 N Palm Harbor, FL  34634 (727) 772-8700  Archive | Store |  eBay |  E-Mail Merry Meet and Welcome to the New Magickalystics Newsletter! To those of you who have received this newsletter before, and who probably thought it would never appear again, a lot of things have happened. First of all, after several false starts, we have opened a real-for-sure store in Palm Harbor, Fla. (The address is at the head of this newsletter. For directions see the end of the newsletter.)  We have expanded our offerings beyond what has previously been available at our online store. Please check our revised web site at www.magickalystics.com to see our new items. We have changed our look, adopting the lunar moth picture as our emblem, and switching our colour from purple to green.  We are also now "we." Amalthea has got a new partner named Terry.  Actually, we are married, and he is her husband, but saying "partner" fits more with the New Age image. Please stop in and see us sometime. We are not serious people, and will gladly do the "Do you have any peanuts routine" for you, or even skits from "The Goon Show" or "Monty Python."  Don't clap, just throw money.  In This Issue:  1.  New Arrivals:  We Have Sage!!!  2.  Save with the Pirates  3.  Turning of the Wheel:  Imbolc  4.  Lovers' Day  5.  Happy Feet  6.  Trade Fair  7.  Specials  8.  Newsletter-Only Specials  9.  Directions 10. Hours 11. Next Issue 12. Information and Credits New Arrivals:  We Have Sage!!! A new shipment of sage products from Sedona, AZ, has arrived! We have a fresh new selection of: large and mini White Sage wands; large Sedona Sage wands; mini Desert Sage wands; and long (25" to 30") Sweetgrass braids. We also now have loose leaf White Sage sprigs by the ounce and some beautiful large and small abalone shells to hold your smoldering sage or other herbs. And, to keep your loose herbs or resin incense lit, we have Swift-Lite charcoal 10-packs.   Save with the Pirates Those of you in the Tampa area know that January is Gasparilla month, when pirates, lead by Gaspar himself, invade Tampa. We have redone our displays in honour of this event. Jacqueline, our window mannequin, is modelling a new outfit suitable for a pirate wench. We have treasure chests overflowing with booty such as jewelry, candles, glassware, Ocean Wind incense, plunder from foreign lands, pirates' dirks, and even a treasure map. Our pirate novelties include bandages, Devil Duckies, and Anne Bonny and Blackbeard Action Figures. Of course we have mermaids, including statues, T-shirts (and even a merman T-shirt), tarot cards, and paintings. Whatever your preferences, you will find something you like. Whether you enjoy the revels, or are tired of them, you can still save on our pirate specials. See our Newsletter Savings further on.   Turning of the Wheel: Imbolc February 1 - 2 marks Imbolc on the Celtic calendar followed by many Wiccans and other pagan faiths (Candlemas on the Christian calendar). Imbolc (or Imbolg) is from the Gaelic for "in the belly" and originally commemorated the time of year when the ewes gave their first milk, indicating that Lambing Season was not far behind. Farmers would make predictions as to the coming sowing and harvesting seasons at this time and this custom survives today as "Groundhog Day." Households would get busy cleaning, sweeping, and airing out rooms, barns, and stables. Many people still perform this ancient ritual of "spring cleaning" today (although they might wait until it's warmer). For pagans, this time of clearing out the old in preparation for the new includes using besoms (brooms) to sweep out negative energy, burning down last year’s ritual candles, and blessing/consecrating new ones for the coming year. Laura and Terry were handfasted (married) during Imbolc and their "leap" into a new life together was signified by "jumping the broomstick," which is a custom not only among pagans, but African-Americans as well, that dates back to slavery. Imbolc is also the festival of Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of smithcraft and writing (especially poetry). Brigid is a Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess and is the patron of young brides. Indeed, it is from one form of her name--Brid or Bride--that the word "bride" is derived. Pagans make corn dolls representing Brigid and place her in a "wedding bed" next to pine cones or some other symbol of male fertility. When Christianity came to the British Isles, Brigid was incorporated into the Church as "St. Bridgit." The early Church also adopted the pagan custom of blessing new candles during this time, which they named Candlemas. In modern Ireland schoolchildren still make St. Bridgit Crosses out of corn sheaves during Candlemas. (Note: in the British Isles, "corn" is used to refer to the main cereal crop of an area, which could be barley, wheat, rye, etc.) To help you honor Brigid, Magickalystics has besoms for your altar or ritual space, Dragon's Blood incense, blank books to journal, write, poetry in, or use as a Book of Shadows, and of course candles, which are on special this month! Lovers' Day 14th February, St. Valentine’s Day, is the special day for lovers. Terry actually proposed to Laura on St. Valentine’s Day, although, for reasons of work schedules, that year we celebrated on the 18th. We have cards and prints depicting many styles of lovers and hearts. We have several different types of chocolates, including chocolate covered Turkish Delight. Surrender to the taste that made Edmund betray! To set the romantic mood we have scents of incense including Arabian Night, Jasmine, Madagascar Spice, and Magic Garden. To decorate for the holiday in red, we have many items, both home d?cor and clothing and accessories. For those planning more exotic activities, we have candles and charms ranging from friendship and love to fertility. See our Newsletter Savings for Valentines specials.   Happy Feet If you have seen the film "Happy Feet," we have our own Emperor Penguins. They are British chocolate biscuits (cookies to Americans), with chocolate cr?me filling, and covered in chocolate. They are delicious. We sell them singly, in 9-packs, or in 18-packs. As their British slogan says, "A Penguin when you’re p.p.p.peckish!" ("Peckish" means "hungry" in Britain.) Try them. Trade Fair We will be closed Sat - Mon Feb 3 - 5 while we attend a trade fair to find more things to offer you. Next month we will tell you what we found.   Specials  The following coupons may be used together for different items, but can not be combined with any other offers for the same item. 20% off all jewelry. Expires 2/15/07.  Not valid with other offers for the same item. 20% off all candles. Expires 2/15/07. Not valid with other offers for the same item. To use either or both of these coupons online, enter the following code into the shopping cart during checkout: j03t10c05k720.  In order to qualify for the discount online, your shopping cart must only contain the items/categories specified in the promotion. Orders containing any other items will be voided. Sorry, but this is necessary due to the limitations of our shopping cart.   Newsletter-Only Specials  The following offers are only for newsletter subscribers, new or current. If someone you know wants any of these savings, they can sign up for the newsletter by sending their email address to magickalystics@mindspring.com. 20% off Mermaid and Merman T-shirts, and all of our Novelty Items. Expires 1/29/07. Not valid with other offers for the same item. To use this coupon online, enter the following code into the shopping cart during checkout: x02z10g02b713. Please see limitations of use below. 20% off tea light 5 and 6 point star lanterns (table top, medium, and large) and paper lanterns. Valid 2/1/07 – 2/15/07. Not valid with other offers for the same item. To use this coupon online, enter the following code into the shopping cart during checkout: q03y10m04r729. Please see limitations of use below. In order to qualify for the discounts online, your shopping cart must only contain the items/categories specified in the promotion, and/or candles and jewelry. Orders containing any other items will be voided. Sorry, but this is necessary due to the limitations of our shopping cart.   Directions  We are in the Fountains Plaza on US 19 N between Nebraska Ave and Alderman Rd. We are on the west or southbound side. We are just south of Alderman Plaza. Look for the Wing House. We are between Bawarchi Indian Restaurant and Edward Jones financial advice. Call us on 727-772-8700 for more information.   Hours We are open Thur – Mon, and are closed Tues and Wed.  Our hours are: Thur: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fri and Sat: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sun: noon - 7 p.m. Mon: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tues and Wed: closed   Next Issue  Look for the next issue of Magickalystics News to appear in your inbox by mid-February, featuring our latest specials, news, and an essay on Ostara. Till then, Merry Part till we meet again and Bright Blessings to you and yours! Amalthea & Terry   Information and Credits You have either finished reading, or have just scrolled past Magickalystics News , a monthly e-publication of Magickalystics Metaphysical Store.  The manifestation of Magickalystics and this newsletter are made possible by the mysterious and arcane Webweaving Arts as cast by Amalthea, and through the perseverance and pestering of Terry, Editors.   Address your comments to magickalystics@mindspring.com. Subscription information This ezine is being distributed via Zinester - a mailing lists service and ezine hosting provider. You are receiving this ezine because you are a registered subscriber with Zinester. To unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences log in to your account at http://subs.zinester.com. You can always retrieve your password by clicking the "Forgot your password?" link. Zinester.com is a project by AGAVA Software Company . Software development - as it has to be. Copyright © 2003-2007 Magickalystics LLC. All Rights Reserved.