NMR ISSUE 1

Astrological Forecast 1
Beltane
Closer Look at the Tarot: Aces
Earth's Coronation
Eastern Insights
Editorial
Evolutionary Astrology
Guardians of the Four Gateways
How to Eat Meat
Olivine
Solitary Beltane Ritual
Solitary Summer Rite
Stone Banishing Ritual
Summer Solstice
Tarot Images
The Kabalah in Everyday Use
The Oldest Magick
The Other Editorial
Witchcraft: Problems of Study

Articles
Authors
Rituals
Book Reviews
NMR Issues
NMR Covers

The Other Editorial

By Scot Rhoads

I have always enjoyed sharing my views. When we started our shop, the Mystic Moon, I had hoped to eventually build a national publication out of our newsletter, the Lunation. I never had the time to build it beyond six pages. When Jason approached me with the idea of a joint venture, I finally got the chance to work on my goal.

I have always been evangelical about open-mindedness. I feel that no one knows the "Truth" yet we each hold the key. It is as if we each have a bit of a hologram. Each bit contains all the information of the whole, but at extremely low resolution. It is only by combining our bits that we can begin to resolve the picture. This picture is incomprehensible to us, who understand only tiny bits. But exposure to these different ideas gradually expands our awareness. We may never comprehend the universe in the same way we understand how a car works, but our awareness determines how well we make our way in life. It helps us to follow the Tao. Any new perspective can help. Fiction is as useful as fact and "wrong" views are as useful as "right" views. The Rose & Quill is a vehicle to exchange various ideas related to the Craft and magick. I will not agree with everything printed here. Metaphysics is so controversial that "Truth" has no practical meaning anyway. My goal is to share ideas and expand awareness. This is possible with old ideas as well as new; with things you accept as well as that which you deny; with that which makes sense and the incomprehensible. Don't get hung up on whether the things you read are "right" or "wrong." If you read something you don't accept, it is an opportunity to assimilate a new perspective. You need not agree with an idea to learn from it. What is the author talking about? Maybe you can rephrase his point to make it meaningful. Perhaps you will learn something that never occurred to the author. Why does the author seem to believe as he does? Why is he "wrong?" This can teach, too. Take advantage of these opportunities and become a part of the process. Please write to us to share your views as well. We need an exchange to make sense of the nebulous field of metaphysics.

Of course, when you are trying to absorb that which has no immediate, tangible influence in your life, you need something more to keep your mind from wandering. I hope that you will find these articles entertaining. Don't allow any opinion to interfere. We intend for this magazine to be interesting and fun. If you read anything that seems challenging or threatening, remember that was not our intent. We are all partners in the search for truth. Even when we disagree, we should still be working together and having fun. Write to us. Let us know what you like and dislike. What would you like to see? If you have something you'd like to see, feel free to let us in on it.

My thanks to those who have "let us in" on some of their views. Thanks to Cecile MacPeakes for his wonderful cover and much of our other illustrations. Thanks to Don Kraig and Scott Cunningham for taking time to help a friend. Thanks to those authors from the Lunation and all the other writers who have donated their efforts. And thanks to you, for sharing this.