One of our members reported a new jury rigging scam.  In this con, someone calls pretending to be a jury coordinator for the courts.  They claim that a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty.  If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. They may also ask for credit card numbers. Of course this is an identity theft scam.  This scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado. It is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try and bully people into giving information by pretending they're with the court system.  The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their websites, warning consumers about the fraud.

Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

Jury Rigging Scam/ Armoring Ritual

e-mail:  webmaster@officersofavalon.com

To contact us:
Text Box: 10 tips regarding identity theft: Remove yourself from junk mail lists. Change passwords regularly. Don’t put PIN numbers in your day planner. Wipe computer discs before discarding them. Be aware of when your bills and account statements are due. Don’t leave house payments in your mailbox for the mail carrier. Get regular credit reports. Store your Soc Security card in a safe place and do not put the # on your checks. Use a shredder. Exercise caution when purchasing products and services on line.

Denessa Smith of the Tempest Smith Foundation and I presided over a Warrior Armoring ritual at Convocation 2006 in Troy, MI, on Friday, Feb 24.  80 people attended the initiatory experience.  This was the first indoor Armoring that I’ve participated in:  The previous one was an outdoor event at Florida Pagan Gathering last November. 

Interest in rites of passage of this sort as well as other warrior rituals are growing in the Pagan community.  They’re a good opportunity for Pagans in the emergency services to connect with their community.

Armoring Ritual at Convocation 2006

Cast of Armoring at Convocation 2006.  L to R, Sgt at Arms Jo Conkin, East Warrior Michael Wiggins, West Warrior Rob Barner, Warrior Priestess Denessa Smith,  Dori Rusk, Warrior Priest Kerr Cuhulain, Guard Commander Chris Penczak, North Warrior Kelly Weaver, South Warrior Polly McCaul.  The young man in front is Rob’s son and assistant warrior, Rory.

“Magic within me, magic on my right hand, magic behind me;
Magic on my left hand, magic before me, magic above me, magic beneath me.
In the eye of all beholders, in the ear of all who hear
In the heart of all beings
My magic is established.

Today I gird myself with the three fold power
Honor to the Gods! Honor to the Fair Folk! Honor to the Dead!
And honor to the spirit
That dwells in me forever
Biodh Se!”

Part of the Armoring Ritual