Author: Cat

Midsummer 2021 – The Pagan Umbrella

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Did you miss it last week? You can catch the 2021 Midsummer Service.  Not all Unitarian Universalists believe the same things. Not all UU Pagans are the same kind of pagan. Celebrate the Summer Solstice and the return of the rainy season as we explore the different pagan paths that lie inside “The Pagan Umbrella.” 

You can view it on First Unitarian Facebook Video collection…
https://www.facebook.com/151216695608/videos/162725095899093

Or on the YouTube collection. 



Paganism 101 Lesson 2 is posted

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Wheel Mandala
Thanks to everyone who was able to come to Lesson 2 today!
REVIEW
Both the slide deck PDF and the Study Hall sheet for Lesson 2 are posted online at
That is the main “hub” for all the class stuff. You can use the LESSONS tab at the top to get to the ones available so far. Both Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 materials are posted.
You can talk to classmates in between sessions on the matching Facebook group if you wish.
HOMEWORK
Homework is “pick your level.” Suggested minimum is from the red square area of the study hall 2 sheet.
These are the main items
  • Read Article #2 “What is Ritual?”
  • Practice #2 “A Solo Hour in Nature”
  • Think about what “sacred space” means to you.
As willing and able, you can explore other ideas on the sheet if you wish. We do NOT expect you to try to do it all! It’s just for ideas. You can also pick your own activity or idea to explore for your spiritual practice this month.
NEXT TIME
Next time we talk about creating “sacred space.” We add a few more components to mini ritual — practicing casting the circle, calling elements, calling the lord and lady, raising energy in a simple way, and cakes and ale. Then we practice releasing all the things and opening the circle back up as we leave sacred space.
Our new tool is the pentacle plate. You can use any plate to serve your “cakes” at the home altar.
Minimal supplies are your
  • UU chalice/candle/finger chalice
  • a small plate with bread, cookies, or other treat for “cake”
  • a glass with a beverage for “ale.”
You can set up your student altar with extra items if you wish.
You can bring a drum if you have one or you can drum on your lap or table.
We enjoyed seeing you today and look forward to seeing you next month! 🙂

Paganism 101 – 4th Fridays Spring 2021

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Series of 10 online classes starts on Feb 26, 2021

7 PM – 9 PM EST

This course introduces the practices, beliefs, and history of modern pagan spirituality. Participants in this rudimentary class will create and maintain a student altar as we explore basic altar set up and ritual tools, the wheel of the year, deity, the four elements, and more. We also touch on different pagan paths and examine how modern paganism fits with Unitarian Universalist principles.

  • If you are a newbie seeker on the pagan path, the class can help you find confidence in your journey and ideas for future study.
  • If you are an experienced pagan, the class can help you refresh your practice, share your experience with others, and help you determine if you wish to teach
  • If you are UU, the class expands your world religions knowledge while helping you to understand your Pagan friends, coworkers, and family members better

SYLLABUS

Lesson 1
Feb 26, 2021

Orientation

Introduction to Class

(7 PM EST – 9:30 PM EST – this class only due to orientation)

Lesson 2
Mar 26, 2021

The Power and Practice of Ritual

Lesson 3
April 23, 2021

The Circle – Creating Sacred Space

Lesson 4
May 28, 2021

The Elements

Lesson 5
Jun 25, 2021

The Goddess and God

Lesson 6
July 23, 2021

The Feminine and Masculine

Lesson 7
Aug 27, 2021

The Wheel of the Year

Lesson 8
Sept 24, 2021

Magic and Spellcraft

Lesson 9
Oct 22, 2021

The Moon And Divination

Lesson 10
Nov 19, 2021

Where Do We Go From Here?

Note Date Change due to Thanksgiving! 

FACEBOOK STUDY GROUP

You can join the Paganism 101 Facebook Study group at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mgpaganism101

COST AND REGISTRATION

Class is FREE.  $5 per class donation welcome but not required.  To register please visit https://tinyurl.com/MGPaganism101Registration

For more information, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Seeker Class – 3rd Sundays Spring 2021

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Seeker Class PR Flier copy

Seeker Class PR Flier Spring 2021

Are you curious about Paganism and/or Unitarian Universalism? Is this the path for you? Take this class to find out what it is all about.  Both newbies and long term UU’s and Pagans gather to share their questions and experiences in lively discussion in this 90 minute class. 

SYLLABUS

Feb 21, 2021
  • Pagan Paths – An Overview
  • Public Rituals

Mar 21, 2021
  • Paganism – Truth and Tales
  • Wicca and Witchcraft

Apr 18, 21
  • Safety in the Circle
  • Skyclad – The Bare Facts

May 16, 2021
  • Sacred Knives
  • Sacred Ground

June 20, 2021
  • The Faith of UU Pagans
  • Brief History of CUUPs
  • About Mystic Grove CUUPs

FACEBOOK GROUP

 You can join the Seeker Class study group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mgseekerclass

REGISTRATION AND COST

This class is FREE.  A $5 donation per class is welcome but not required.  You can donate online or send a check. 

To register please visit https://tinyurl.com/MGSeekerClassRegistration

For more info, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Winter Solstice 2020 Info

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Corrected Winter Solstice 2020 Main Flier

Come celebrate the longest night of the year and the returning light with us on through special readings, songs, and reflections.

SPIRAL DANCE

Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to register and help film a masked and socially distance Spiral Dance at 6 PM on Sunday Dec 13, 2020 in the labyrinth.  Guest list is limited to 15 persons.

SHARE PHOTOS

Are you decorating the house? Baking cookies? Setting up home altars? Doing other holiday activities? You can share your pix by emailing them to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.

ATTEND WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

Want to make the worship and after party more interactive?

LEARN THE SONGS

At worship…

At fellowship time…

PRINT AND MAKE THE CANDLE CENTERPIECE

YULE CHANT BOOKS

Learn a song from either the red or green Yule chant books and lead it around the bonfire!  We love contrafactum!

SHORT MORNING RITUAL

If you do stay up all night to greet the sun, here’s a reading and song as you extinguish your candles.

READING: 

“A Pagan Awakening”  by Jeff A. Bordeaux

A new life is there,
You hear Her now,
She was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So listen to Diana, and accept Her love.
Hoard not Her gifts : feeling, renewal, music.

A new life is there,
You see Him now,
He was always there,
and you’re forever changed.
So look to Apollo, and receive His light.
Hoard not His gifts : healing, growth, joy.

A new life is there,
Your hands reach it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So touch the earth, and partake of it’s sustenance.
Hoard not it’s gifts : body, green, silence.

A new life is there,
You soar with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So breathe in the air and gather the wind.
Hoard not it’s gifts : mind, dreams, empathy.

A new life is there,
You’re warmed by it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So build the flame and brave it’s heat.
Hoard not it’s gifts : spirit, will, energy.

A new life is there,
You flow with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So study the ocean and follow it’s tides.
Hoard not it’s gifts : self, courage, sorrow.

A new life is there,
You’re one with them now,
They were always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So take Their gifts and return them threefold.
Share this magic : friendship, love, trust.

SONG:

“Awaken Me” by Abigail Spinner McBride

For more info, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Mabon 2020

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For those who might enjoy “visiting” Orlando for Mabon!
Join us in celebrating the Autumn Equinox on Sept 19,2020 from 6:45 PM EST – 9 PM EST.
Come as you are or dressed in colors of the season: brown, orange, yellow, red, etc. Ritual starts at 7 PM, but we gather at 6:45 for “Meet and Greet” orientation.
Mabon is our annual canned/box food drive. This year we invite you to share the bounty by making an online donation to Second Harvest Food Bank as willing and able.
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for Zoom connection info or visit the Facebook event page on the day.
Mystic Grove Mabon 2020 Web Flier