Author: Cat

May News

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beltane 2018 main atlarThanks to those who attended Beltane on May 5.  Pictures are posted online.

Thanks also to those who came to the May 6th monthly meeting. Here’s the notes if you missed it.

This month’s photo is by P. Burdette of the main altar close up.  (Email or Facebook message if you’d like to submit one of your photos for the newsletter.)

CLASSES

The calendar has been updated again.  The May 12 session of “Circle of Song” is canceled due to illness.  We will take a break for the summer and see about bringing it back in the Fall.

The Odyssey four part series starts on Thursday  starts May 10.

Walking the Labyrinth continues on May 24.

Sometime in July is the annual “teacher meeting” at Fashion Square Panera for brunch and to map out the 2018-2019 list of ideas for classes and craft circles. Are you a teacher who feels called to contribute this year? A guest who wants to see how that works? Watch this space and come to the planning meeting!

ANNUAL REPORT AND MEMBERSHIP

The annual report was submitted to First Unitarian for the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 20th. Copies available to registered Members and Friends at the Yahoo! group file area.  Go to

Files > Grove Organizational Docs > 2018 Agendas, Minutes, Annual Reports

and you will see it there.

Are you thinking about becoming a Member or Friend? You can learn about the path to membership here.  The annual membership window is coming up in August-September.

(If you are a 1U member looking for the materials for the May 20 Congregational meeting, they are posted here. )

SOLAR RITUAL

Our next solar ritual is Summer Solstice Morning Service on Sunday June 24, 2018.  It will be held at 11 AM in the Sanctuary.  The general theme revolves around “reigniting the spark” in your spiritual practices.   There are many opportunities to volunteer on this one.

Do you want to be a read a short passage at the pulpit or help ring in a direction? Let us know.

Do you want to contribute to the slide show and share pictures of your home altar, your spiritual practices, your pagan artwork and crafts, attending pagan events elsewhere?

You can either respond to the “Submit Photos for Midsummer Slide Show” Facebook Event and leave your photo in a comment or email your submission to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org with “For the Midsummer Slides” in the subject line.

Do you want to display your items on the community altar?  You can email that you want to place your item on the community altar and will be bringing it to the June 3rd monthly meeting or on the day.  (Ahead of time preferred so we have enough table space planned.)

LUNAR RITUAL

The Jan – June block of Moon Circle is CLOSED, but registration for the new July – Dec block will open July 1. We will continue our study of various deities and esbat celebrations.

TEACHING CRAFT CIRCLES

This month on Friday May 18, we learn to make silhouette light boxes.

Plan ahead:  June 15th, we make God’s eyes.  We will take sticks and yarn for this craft if you want to bring it by any other craft circle or monthly meeting.

MOVIE NITE

Come join us each month on 3rd Sundays for movie night fun. It’s BYO dinner, watch, and discuss! This month we watch Something Wicked This Way Comes (PG)

Based on the Ray Bradbury novel. See what happens in a small American town when a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk…

Next month, we screen… TBD! Email us if you have a suggestion that you want to bring in. We keep an idea list so even if your suggestion doesn’t make it this month, it might later on!

PAGAN PRIDE

Mystic Grove is co-hosting Pagan Pride 2018 on Sept 29th at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando! If you want to help out contact either Orlando Pagan Collective or mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.  The next planning meeting is on May 20  from 12 PM – 2 PM over at Smashburger (3162 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32803).

BOOKS WANTED

Mystic Grove was given several collections of pagan interest books from folks who are moving away and from a dear member, Mary Ellen Mayo, who passed away.  We will be having a book table at Pagan Pride.  If you have books you have outgrown, considering donating them at any Craft Circle on 1st or 3rd Fridays or at the monthly meeting on 1st Sundays. If you cannot make it at one of these points, call the First Unitarian front office and see if you can bring them by at during business hours. (407) 898-3621.

We will be accepting them all summer.

SUMMER FIELD TRIP TO GUANG MING TEMPLE

Mystic Grove is taking a field trip to visit Guang Ming Temple in July. Founded in 1992, Guang Ming Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Central Florida. In Mandarin Chinese, “Guang-Ming” means “bright light.”

Are you interested in coming along with us? Plan to come to the June 3 monthly meeting to vote on the best Sunday to go meet up. It will either be July 8 or July 22. We plan to do the 11 AM Tour, and stay for the 12:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch.

If you cannot make it with the Mystic Grove, you can attend one of their other Sunday tours. 

SUMMER “HOUSEKEEPING” DATES

Mystic Grove aligns its business year with the First Unitarian business year.  Summer on our “Typical Calendar” is the time for doing all of the “winding it down/cranking it back up” work of our group.  While you can see the details on the PDF, the big summer highlights are

May:

  • We already started talking about who feels called to serve as an officer at the monthly meeting.  Is this you? Email the chair at mysticgrove@orlandouur.org. You must already be a voting member to hold office.

June:

  • Midsummer Service
  • Renew our CUUPS chapter membership.  You can also be an individual member of CUUPS.
  • Start getting ready for the officers to change smoothly.

July:

  • Officer Elections.
  • Annual Teacher Meeting to plan out 2018-2019 offerings
  • Start preparing PR materials and membership drive materials.

Aug/Sept

  • Classroom Clean Up
  • Annual Member Dinner to welcome back old members/greet new ones

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Because sometimes we have to save up money to get to go… looking way ahead to October.

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is June 3 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

MYSTIC GROVE LINKS TO KNOW

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Moon Circle: Ix Chel (Apr 2018)

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For those taking the Moon Circle class in person, or wanting to follow along from home, here are this month’s links.

HOMEWORK

Homework is “pick your level.”

Thinking
Questions:		  Our Ixchel is “Healing Waters” and what we need to heal.

Reflect on these quotes:

“Hearts are breakable,” Isabelle said. “And I think even when you heal, you’re never what you were before.”

-Cassandra Clare, City of Fallen Angels

Some people see scars, and it is the wounding they remember. To me they are the proof of the fact that there is healing.

-Linda Hogan, Native American author

Healing comes from letting there be room for all of “this” to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

-Pema Chodron, American Buddhist nun

Reflect on these questions:

Tell us of a time you were really hurt or wounded.

What was the cause?

What was helpful in healing from that?

What physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual healing do you long for?

What interferes with your healing?
Small Read about main deity.

Read your two other deity sheets.
Medium: All the above PLUS

  • Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large: All the above PLUS
DIY Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another working that interests you related to this month’s theme.

Reading

Videos

Kriyas fro Healing

OTHER

Beltane Jobs

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elements

Beltane 2018 is coming up soon!

We have our Green Man and Flower woman and will be celebrating their “wedding” and dancing around the maypole.

Ritual is 7 – 8 PM. Potluck is 8 – 9 PM. We try to be out and done by 9:30 PM. Many hands make light work! 🙂

Would you like to volunteer with Mystic Grove? “On the Day” volunteer jobs are simple. You can come at 7 PM on May 4 and/or on May 5 at 6 PM for orientation/reherasal and get your job explained to you.

Here are the jobs that are open. Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org interested.

Continue reading →

April News

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labyrinth_mjamesThanks to those who attended Ostara on March 24 and the April 1st monthly meeting!  Here’s the notes if you missed it.

This month’s photo is by M. James of the 1U labyrinth at sunset.

CALENDAR

The calendar has been updated with a new class! We will be offering the Odyssey of Homer on Thursdays starting on May 10.  For more info about new and ongoing classes visit these links:

RITUALS

Our next solar ritual is Beltane on May 5, 2018. Come as you are or dressed in colors of the season: Red, white, green, yellow, etc in bright tones. Floral headbands encouraged. Ritual begins at 7 PM.  Potluck to follow at 8 PM. As a kindness to others, please be sure your dish is labeled with name of dish, name of cook, and any allergenic ingredients.

The Jan – June block of Moon Circle is CLOSED, but registration for the new July – Dec block will open July 1. We will continue our study of various deities and esbat celebrations.

TEACHING CRAFT CIRCLE

This month, we learn to make calendula salve. Cost is  $5.

MOVIE NITE

Come join us each month on 3rd Sundays for movie night fun. It’s BYO dinner, watch, and discuss! This month we watch “My Neighbor Totoro.(G)” This is a 1988 award winning Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten.

In post-war rural Japan,  two young girls, Satsuki and her younger sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuki and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures called Totoros. They soon befriend these Totoros, and have several magical adventures.

Next month, we screen “Something Wicked This Way Comes. (PG)”

PAGAN PRIDE

Mystic Grove is co-hosting Pagan Pride 2018 on Sept 29th at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando! If you want to help out contact either Orlando Pagan Collective or mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.

BOOKS WANTED

Mystic Grove was given several collections of pagan interest books from folks who are moving away and from a dear member, Mary Ellen Mayo, who passed away.  We will be having a book table at Pagan Pride.  If you have books you have outgrown, considering donating them at any Craft Circle on 1st or 3rd Fridays.  We will be accepting them all summer.

FIELD TRIP

Mystic Grove is thinking about taking a field trip to visit Guang Ming Temple.  25 years ago a group of Monks came to Florida only to discover that there was no place to honor the Buddha’s teachings. Today we have the Guang Ming Temple. Founded in 1992, Guang Ming Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Central Florida. In Mandarin Chinese, “Guang-Ming” means “bright light.”

Are you interested in coming along? Plan to come to the May 6 monthly meeting as we pick the Sunday that works out best for those wanting to go.  We plan to do the 11 AM Tour, and stay for the 12:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch.

If you cannot make it with the Mystic Grove, you can attend one of their other Sunday tours. 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is May 6 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

MYSTIC GROVE LINKS TO KNOW

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

The Odyssey of Homer

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odysseyKeats compared discovering Homer to “finding a new planet.” What is it in Homer’s great works—and especially the Odyssey—that so enthralled him? Why have readers before and since reacted the same way?

Come join us for this 4 session DVD film course!

WHEN AND WHERE

Thursdays 7 PM – 9 PM starting April 5, 2018 at

Room 1
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson St
Orlando FL 32803

REGISTRATION AND COST

This class is FREE and is considered “Drop-in” friendly – come for all or just your favorites in this 4 week series! Donations welcome to help support our work.

SYLLABUS

Full description of each segment at https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/odyssey-of-homer.html

Suggested translations:

The Odyssey of Homer by Richmond Lattimore (Translator),‎ Homer  (Author)

The segment is following by the readings in your book.

 

May 10

Class 1: The Odysssey
  • Hero’s Homecomings (1)
  • Guests and Hosts (2-4)
  • A Goddess and a Princess (5-6)
May 17, 2018

Class 2: The Odysssey
  • Odysseus Among the Phaiakians (7-9)
  • Odysseus Tells his Own Story (10-11 (line 1-375) )
  • From Persephone’s Land to the Island of Helios (11 (line 375-end) – 12)
May 31, 2018

Class 3: The Odysssey
  • The Goddess, the Swineherd and the Beggar (13-15)
  • Reunion and Return (16-17)
  • Odysseus and Penelope (18-19)
June 7, 2018

Class 4: The Odysssey
  • Recognitions and Revenge (20-22)
  • Reunion and Resolution (23-24)
  • The Trojan War and the Archaeolgists

CONTACT
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info or to be put on  the reminder list for this class.

Moon Circle: Pele (Mar 2018)

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For those taking the Moon Circle class in person, or wanting to follow along from home, here are this month’s links.

HOMEWORK

Homework is “pick your level.”

Thinking
Questions:Pele:Healthy Anger		 Excerpt from  The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner

“Anger is a signal, and one worth listening to. Our anger may be a message that we are being hurt, that our rights are being violated, that our needs or wants are not being adequately met, or simply that something is not right.

Our anger may tell us that we are not addressing an important emotional issue in our lives, or that too much of our self – our beliefs, values, desires, or ambitions – is being compromised in a relationship.

Our anger may be a signal that we are doing more and giving more than we can comfortably do or give. Or our anger may warn us that others are doing too much for us, at the expense of our own competence and growth.

Just as physical pain tells us to take our hand off the hot stove, the pain of our anger preserves the very integrity of our self.

Our anger can motivate us to say “no” to the ways in which we are defined by others and “yes” to the dictates of our inner self.”

QUESTIONS

  • What role has anger played in your life?
  • Tell us of a time you were really angry.  What was the cause? What was the result?
  • What makes you angry – the personal, political institutions, religion, society, God, the universe?
  • How do you express or release your anger?
  • Are you comfortable feeling angry? Why or why not? 
  • Is all anger the same? Can you imagine ways that anger can be used for good?
Small Read your two other deity sheets.
Medium: All the above PLUS

  • Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large: All the above PLUS
DIY Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another work that interests you related to this month’s theme.

Hawaiian Myths

Hawaiian Religion

Pacific Ohana: The mythology of the Hawaiian Culture (slides explaining some of the deities)

Goddess Pele: Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano

Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes by W.D. Westervelt [1916]
(The Fire Goddess Pele, her deeds, family and loves.)

VIDEOS

Miscellaneous Myths: Pele (5 min video)

Pele Searches for a Home (25 min video)

Holo Mai Pele (53 min video explaining the saga of Pele her rivalry with her sister Hi’iaka)

DANCE

In one of the hula origin stories,  Pele, the goddess of fire was trying to find a home for herself running away from her sister Namakaokahaʻi (the goddess of the oceans) when she finally found an island where she couldn’t be touched by the waves. There at chain of craters on the island of Hawai’i she danced the first dance of hula signifying that she finally won.

 

Holo Mai Pele: Educator Guide Learn about hula. Read 9-14 covering Pele’s story.

Aia La O Pele (There is Pele) — Song used in ritual

The Bilingual Lyrics

Aia la o Pele by Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Try to dance along with it.

Hawaiian Moon Calendar

1% Pele Oil Labels

“Controlling Anger Before it Controls You” (article)

Anger Management: Tips and Techniques for Getting Anger Under Control (article)

Moon Circle: Oya (Feb 2018)

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For those taking the Moon Circle class in person, or wanting to follow along from home, here are this month’s links.

HOMEWORK

Homework is “pick your level.”

Thinking
Questions:Oya – Change, and Starting Over		  1) How do we develop a relationship with change that allows for graceful acceptance, while giving us room to explore our feelings?

How do we craft a rooted yet flexible approach to life that invites change in without risking our integrity?

2) Tell a brief story about a significant change at any point in your life that was completely unexpected. How did it affect or change your life?  Did you welcome or resist the change? 

Was there a message or lesson in the experience that nourished you spiritually?

Were you surprised at how you handled it?

3) Tell a brief story about a significant change in your life that you purposefully created. What did you lose and what did you gain in the process? Did the change bring you the gifts and challenges you hoped for? 

4) Do you usually embrace change or avoid it? 

It is possible to be “addicted” to change, to the adrenalin rush of leaving frustrations behind and stepping out into the unknown?

Is it possible to call something “security” when really it’s being in a rut?

How do you balance the spiritual and practical rewards or change with the risks of change?

5) Ask yourself — “Where have I become too complacent? Have my routines gone past “comfortable” and into a rut?

How does fear of the unknown stifle my personal growth?”

6) What would you like Oya to destroy and then transform and rebuild in your life?
Small Read your two other deity sheets.
Medium: All the above PLUS

  • Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large: All the above PLUS
DIY Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another working that interests you related to this month’s theme.

Ideas:

February News

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Thanks to those who attended Imbolc on Feb 3 and the Feb 4th monthly meeting!  Here’s the notes if you missed it.

CALENDAR

The calendar has been updated with new classes.  We now have more Labyrinth Walking sessions and “The Iliad” series will be starting in April.  You can download and print the updates here:

Screen Shot 2018-02-06 at 6.09.58 PM

Our Google Calendar now has events posted out to June 1st.

SOLAR RITUALS

Our Ostara ritual will be on Mar 24 and there will be opportunities to volunteer. Email us if you feel called to help with set up, call a corner, pass out cake and ale and similar.

If you feel called to lead Beltane, please email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.  If you need help, we can pair you with an experienced leader.

LUNAR RITUALS

The Jan – June block of Moon Circle is now full.  No more students will be taken. We are trying something new and providing some info for the “at home players” who wish to study along with us. January was “Skadi.”

Our next block will be July – December and email registration will open June 1st.  We will continue our exploration of various deities.

CLASSES 

Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs continues.  Please note date changes on the calendar as we accommodate the new Labyrinth Walking Sessions.

Circle of Song continues in the Spring term on  2nd Saturdays from 1 PM – 3 PM.   This is “easy choir” for the non-singers and experienced singers wanting to play!  Bring your smartphone or tablet to access lyrics if you do not have the book. Kids welcome.

Walking the Labyrinth starts this month on Feb 22, 2018.  This theme will be on 4th thursdays.

The Iliad is a 4 session DVD course that begins April 5, 2018.

CRAFT CIRCLE

coiled bowls

This month’s topic is “Coiled Bowls.” Get an introduction to the world of yarn basket coiling with this $5 kit. This kit is ready to go for any crafter, even for someone at a beginner skill level.This type basket can be made in a single weekend. The finished project makes one complete basket which measures roughly 5 inches (12.7 cm) round and 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall.

We also have the coiling if you opt to choose your own colors for your bowl. Please bring 120 yards of acrylic yarn or Lily “Sugar and Cream” cotton yarn.
MOVIE NITE

Come join us each month on 3rd Sundays in Room 9 for movie night fun. It’s BYO dinner, watch, and discuss! In February we are watching Maleficient (PG).

Form Wikipedia:
“Maleficent is a 2014 American dark fantasy film directed by Robert Stromberg from a screenplay by Linda Woolverton, and starring Angelina Jolie as the titular character with Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manvillein supporting roles.
Loosely inspired by Charles Perrault’s original fairy tale and Walt Disney‘s 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, the film portrays the story from the perspective of the eponymous antagonist, depicting her conflicted relationship with the princess and king of a corrupt kingdom.[4]”

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is Mar 4, 2018 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

The Iliad

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iliad.jpg

From the wrath of Achilles to the machinations of Agamemnon that led to the fall of Troy, the Iliad is one of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written. Take an in-depth look atHomer’s epic Greek poem in The Iliad of Homer and realize why this literary masterpiece is held in such high regard.

Come join us for this 4 session DVD film course!

WHEN AND WHERE

Thursdays 7 PM – 9 PM starting April 5, 2018 at

Room 1
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson St
Orlando FL 32803

REGISTRATION AND COST

This class is FREE and is considered “Drop-in” friendly – come for all or just your favorites in this 4 week series! Donations welcome to help support our work.

SYLLABUS

Full description of each segment at https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/iliad-of-homer.html

Suggested translations:

The Iliad of Homer by Richmond Lattimore (Translator),‎ Homer  (Author)

 

Apr 5, 2018

Class 1: The Iliad of Homer
  • Introduction to Homeric Epic
  • The Homeric Question
  • Glory, Honor, and the Wrath of Achilles (Read 1-2)
Apr 12, 2018

Class 2: The Iliad of Homer
  • Within the Walls of Troy (Read 3-6)
  • The Embassy to Achilles (Read 7-9)
  • The Paradox of Glory (Read 10-12)
Apr 19, 2018

Class 3: The Iliad of Homer
  • The Role of the Gods (Read 13-15)
  • The Longest Day
  • The Death of Patrokios (Read 16-17)
May 3, 2018

Class 4: The Iliad of Homer
  • Achilles Returns to Battle (Read 18-21)
  • Achilles and Hektor (Read 22)
  • Enemies Tear’s – Achilles and Priam (Read 23-24)

CONTACT
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info or to be put on  the reminder list for this class.

Labyrinth Walking

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LabyrinthIn the 2018 Spring Term from February to June, First Unitarian is offering Thursday Night meditation/contemplative classes in various themes.

  • 1st Thursdays are a 4 part series called “Self Care as a Radical Act”  and are led by Gaby.
  • The second Thursday of each month, Rev. Kathy will lead a Mindfulness Meditation session from 7:00-8:00 pm.
  • Third Thursdays are in development.

On the fourth Thursday of each month, again from 7:00-8:00 pm, Rev. Kathy, with support from Mystic Grove, will lead a Walking the Labyrinth session. We will be reaching out to the community and inviting those unfamiliar with labyrinth practice for an introduction as we welcome those who are familiar to an opportunity to practice with a group.

Dates for just the Labyrinth theme are