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.” You are not expected to do all of these things. These are ideas to help you decided what YOU want to study more.
For final projects, will you create a peg doll of a personal deity or one you studied this term.
Thinking
Questions:
This month we study “Amaterasu: Illumination”
Reflect on these questions:
When Amaterasu hid in the cave, all sunlight was gone and the world was dark. In winter, the distractions of leaves on the trees, grass growing, and flowers blooming are removed.The starkness of winter offers a certain clarity. Do you find it is a time for reflection and reassessing your life? (Resolutions?)
Do you seek warmth and light spiritually as well as physically at this time of year? Is being with others more necessary?
Are you able to grasp the promise of spring, buried deep in the cold ground, or is it too far removed right now?
When people talk about the soul, or the spirit, it is often with a sense of something which is both mysterious and elusive.Most of us prefer something fairly straightforward. When do you feel most in touch with yourself spiritually?
What makes something spiritual? Do you have to do something or be a special way to be spiritual?
What is your “sacred?”Describe an experience, a moment, a place, or a person that you have recognized as holding the quality of the sacred.
When you come out of your “winter hibernation” or “winter cave” — what things are you looking forward to?
Thanks to those who attended the Dec 2, 2018 monthly meeting!
Here are the Mystic Grove Dec 2018 Meeting Minutes if you missed it. In our efforts to increase transparency, help Mystic Grove friends and fans keep up, and assist forming CUUPS chapters and other groups, we’re making it a goal to make more of our documents “public access” as we continue to revise our website.
This month’s photo is from Mary M. in the 1U labyrinth. “I am walking the labyrinth before church ein December again this year. Copper ball walked with me this morning.”
Many of us like labyrinth walking as moving meditation. It is open to the public during daylight hours. Feel free grab the directions to the church and come try it out over your holidays!
NEXT RITUAL: WINTER SOLSTICE
Our Yule ritual is a two part event. Come for it all or just the bits you like best.
We keep watch over the longest night of the year and do our part to ensure the sun rises. Games, music, carols and more!
The schedule PDF is posted here. We’ll have a limited number of print books for the Bardic Circles for those without smartphones and other devices. Remember to bring yours to access the lyrics digitally. We like saving paper!
There will be board games, singing, stories, and more. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, sleeping bag or tent if you plan to take a nap on the green.
VOLUNTEERING
Yule is our biggest ritual of the year. This year we’ve decided to reprise “The Story of the Celts” for Words for All Ages. We are seeking people willing to do a small reading/skit role.
Maiden (found)
Youth (found)
Mother (found)
Father (found)
Crone (Found)
Sage
We also welcome drummers for the spiral dance in the service, food clean up helpers, people wanting to share music and stories around the bonfire, and general volunteers throughout both parts of the winter solstice events.
Here is what’s happening up to the next meeting. Come on down and join us any time. Facebook RSVPs help us plan for supplies, so please check in if you can.
We keep watch over the longest night of the year and do our part to ensure the sun rises. Games, music, carols and more!
Dec 28
Moon Circle Session 12. Last class in the “Goddess & Other Dieties” series! New block Jan – June 2019 themed around Chakras. Registration opens with Jan 2019 News.
Mystic Grove and friends help test projects a new “wheel of the year” curriculum Mystic Grove is writing for the MS/HS/Adult level for publication at UUCards. Pop by on 1st Fridays.
Mystic Grove is the adult UU Pagan affinity group and Covenant of Unitarian Universalist chapter at First Unitarian (1U). We provide worship, classes, and social opportunities for MG members, the 1U congregation, and the general public. Our events are often free or low cost. We also provide scholarships to our tuition classes.
Affinity groups, while affiliated with the church, are not church program committees and do not get church program funding. What we offer is paid for by MG members and its fans.
Like what we do online and in person? Want send us a Yule gift to help with funding next year’s projects? You can use the 1U donation page and put “Mystic Grove” in the memo line. You can also donate to 1U itself. We are very blessed to have a church that welcomes religious pluralism and allows us use of the campus. We couldn’t do what we do without 1U’s benevolence. Not all pagan groups get that kind of support. Please consider giving generously to our home church this Yuletide season!
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.” You are not expected to do all of these things. These are ideas to help you decided what YOU want to study more.
For final projects, will you create a peg doll of a personal deity or one you studied this term.
Thinking
Questions:
This month we study “Hestia: Hearth and Home”
Reflect on these questions:
What does “home” mean for you? Is it a place or places, present or past? Perhaps the experience and meaning of home for you is more connected with persons than with place.
Or is home a state of mind, a place you can access anywhere you are, even in solitude?
Has the meaning, the actuality, or the experience of “home” changed for you over time? If so, how?
What do you need to feel you are “at home?”
Have you ever felt homesick or comforted someone who was homesick? Describe what it was like.
How do you practice hospitality in your life?
When has hospitality been extended to you and how has it made a difference in the quality of your existence?
Hospitality is more than just making a nice table setting for someone; what gives hospitality it’s religious dimension?
Thanks to those who attended the Nov 4, 2018 monthly meeting!
Here are the Mystic Grove Nov Meeting Minutes if you missed it. In our efforts to increase transparency, help Mystic Grove friends and fans keep up, and assist forming CUUPS chapters and other groups, we’re making it a goal to make more of our documents “public access.”
This month’s photo is from the 1U garden. Many of us like to garden as part of our spiritual practice. On campus, you can visit our newest version of the garden near the education building or click here to learn about its story.
GUIDELINES FOR VISITING OUR 1U GARDEN
The community garden is open for all to enjoy. When you visit, be mindful of the following:
Please visit our garden during daylight hours.
Our church is the home for many meetings and events; please maintain a respectful noise level.
The individual raised beds are privately used; please do not take anything from them without the owner’s permission.
You are welcome to harvest enough for your own needs, and please leave plenty for others. If you would like a larger harvest (for example, to share with a non-profit or for a community event), please talk with one of the core garden members.
While most of our plants are edible, some are inedible pollinators. If you have any questions about what you can and cannot eat, please see our plant guideline below and ask a core garden member.
If you want to share what lights your spirit up email your photo to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org and tell us about it!
NEXT RITUAL
Our Yule ritual is a two part event. Come for it all or just the bits you like best.
We keep watch over the longest night of the year and do our part to ensure the sun rises. Games, music, carols and more!
VOLUNTEERING
Yule is our biggest ritual of the year. This year we’ve decided to reprise “The Story of the Celts” for Words for All Ages. We are seeking people willing to do a small reading/skit role.
Maiden (found)
Youth
Mother (found)
Father
Crone
Sage
We also welcome drummers for the spiral dance in the service, food helpers, people wanting to share music and stories around the bonfire, and general volunteers throughout both parts of the winter solstice events.
Here is what’s happening up to the next meeting. Come on down and join us any time. Facebook RSVPs help us plan for supplies, so please check in if you can.
1U BOT Deep Conversation: Participation and Growth
The 1U Board invites you to the second in our series of Deep Conversations, the topic will be Participation and Growth, based on your input from our first conversation on Sept 9th. We look forward to seeing you in Gore Hall, child care will be provided*.
Thank you for your support in both sharing gently used books and coming to buy them for a love offering to benefit the MG Scholarship Fund! We will continue to accept books, tarot decks, and similar small items this year at any monthly meeting or ritual. You can also pop by during office hours during the week and leave book donations at the 1U front office.
This month we study “Maman Bridgette: Honoring our Bones/Death”
Reflect on these questions:
What words do you use for death?Why?
Have you ever heard doctors or other professionals avoid saying death/dead/die/dying? What impression did that make on you?
What can you remember of your first experience of death? Share the experience with us.
If you are willing to think about your own death, what comes to mind? Do you have your papers organized in the vent of your death?
What would you like to be remembered for?
What do you believe happens after we die? What were you taught as a child? Have your beliefs changed? What have you taught your own children about death?
Does your family have any particular rituals or practices when someone dies?
You can learn them at home and/or come learn them with us! Practices are Sundays after church in Room 1 unless otherwise indicated. Show up Dec 14 in Gore Hall at 7 PM for a quick practice and then perform. Wear your Mystic Grove shirt, 1U shirt, or a plain blue shirt with whatever santa hat or other pagan head wear you might like to put on on performance day.
A lead sheet for any pop-up musicians coming soon!
Dancin’ in a Wiccan Wonderland (Karina Skye, Lyrics by Alexander and Archer)
Pagans sing, are you listenin’
Altar’s set, candles glisten
It’s a Magickal night we’re having tonight
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Blades held high, censer smoking
God and Goddess we’re invoking
Through Elements Five we celebrate life
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire
And await the rising of the Sun
It’s the Great Wheel turning for the new year
Loaded with abundance and great fun
Queen of Heaven is in Her place
Triple Goddess now the Crone face
Above and below, She’s the Goddess we know
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
(pause)
Later on by the fire
Cone of power
Getting, getting higher
It’s a magical night we’re having tonight
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Drumming,
Cauldron stirring
While the fire’s burning
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland
Jingle Bells, Cast Your Spells (Karina Skye)
CHORUS
Jingle bells, cast your spells
Make the whole world gay
Oh how fun is is to fly
on broomstick with the fae
Jingle bells, cast your spells
Make the whole world gay
Oh how fun is is to fly
on broomstick with the fae
Flying through the snow on broomstick with the fae
With our wands we go, casting all the way
The spells out loud we sing, to make our spirits bright
What fun it is to fly and make
the whole World smile tonight
Oh…
CHORUS
Oh how fun is is to fly
on broomstick with the fae…
Oh how fun is is to fly
on broomstick with the fae…
One day or two ago
I thought I’d work this night
and soon Miss Fairy Bright
was flying by my side
The World was sad and down
Misfortune all around
We mix Love and Compassion dust
to spread all over town
Oh…
CHORUS
Now the World is Bright
Every one Old and Young
Boys and Girls tonight
Will sing this spell in song
Just get a child to smile
Mix in a sunny day
Stirring for a while
put your love in all the way
And…
CHORUS
Santa Claus is Pagan Too (Emerald Rose)
Oh, Santa Claus is Pagan too
Just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch
He’ll bring you all the best
So get that star up on the roof
And bake those cookies too
Cause Christmas time is really Yule
And Santa’s Pagan too
He’s got that Buddha belly
And his Pops the Holly King
You’ve dressed him in that British Coat
The caps a Nordic thing
You took the horns right off his head
And stuck them on his deer
But he still flies high like Jupiter
With a belly full of beer
Hey, Santa Claus is Pagan too
Just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch
He’ll bring you all the best
So get that star up on the roof
And bake those cookies too
Cause Christmas time is really Yule
And Santa’s Pagan too
Now history says Christ was likely
Not a Capricorn
But if you want to share our Yule
We don’t care when he’s born
Come celebrate the dawning
Of the sun king’s bright rebirth
And if you practice what you preach
We’ll all have peace on earth
Hey, Santa Claus is Pagan too
Just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch
He’ll bring you all the best
So get that star up on the roof
And bake those cookies too
Cause Christmas time is really Yule
And Santa’s Pagan too
Now, Santa’s way more jolly
Than some Christians would require
And if he weren’t so busy
He’d be dancing ’round this fire
Yeah, you can call it Christmas
You’ve got us way outgunned
But just you wait ’til Beltaine
Then we’ll see who’s havin’ fun!
Hey, Santa Claus is Pagan too
Just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch
He’ll bring you all the best
So get that star up on the roof
And bake those cookies too
Cause Christmas time is really Yule
And Santa’s Pagan too
Hey, Santa Claus is Pagan too
Just like all the rest
And if you are a merry witch
He’ll bring you all the best
So get that star up on the roof
And bake those cookies too
Cause Christmas time is really Yule
And Santa’s Pagan… TOO!
Thanks to those who attended the Oct 7 monthly meeting!
Here are the Mystic Grove Oct 7 Meeting Minutes if you missed it. In our efforts to increase transparency, help Mystic Grove friends and fans keep up, and assist forming CUUPS chapters and other groups, we’re making it a goal to make more of our documents “public access.”
This month’s photo is from Sandie C. in our Moon Circle group. This is her Persephone altar. For many of us, creating home altars brings us joy!
If you want to share what lights your spirit up email your photo to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org and tell us about it!
NEXT RITUAL
We have two Samhain happenings this month.
On October 28, we go to our sister church, University UU. Adult Religious Education at 9 AM will be “Ask a Pagan” panel Q& A session. The sermon at 10:30 AM is “The Pagan Wheel of the Year” with a special emphasis on Samhain. Please consider bringing items for a community altar honoring your ancestors so stories can be shared during the social hour after service. If you have never been to University UU or if its been a while, this might be a good day to visit!
On Nov 3, we have our Samhain ritual at 1U. Come as you are or dressed in colors of the season: (grey, black, white, etc). “Pagan formal” is encouraged. This is your chance to break out the fancy clothes! Please bring a photo of your ancestor(s) for the community altar if you would like. 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.
CALENDAR
Here is what’s happening up to the next meeting. Come on down and join us any time. Facebook RSVPs help us plan for supplies, so please check in if you can.
NEW! R&D: Ritual Book (3rd Thursdays) 7 PM, Room 1. Drop In Friendly. We are gathering our collection of rituals for publicaiton for our 20th anniversary.
R&D: Wheel of the Year (1st Fridays). 7 PM, Room 1. Drop In Friendly. We are writing “Wheel of the Year” curriculum for MS/HS/Adult level for publciation at UUCards. If you wish to contribute to this project, come on by!
Thank you for your support in both sharing gently used books and coming to buy them for a love offering to benefit the MG Scholarship Fund! It is our policy to provide free or low cost events. Our classes always have 1 full scholarship and two 1/2 scholarships available as well.
We will continue to accept books, tarot decks, and similar small items this year at any monthly meeting or ritual. We will have books out at ritual at the book table. You can also pop by during office hours during the week and leave book donations at the 1U front office.
Thanks to those who attended the Sept 2 monthly meeting!
Here are the minutes if you missed it. In our efforts to increase transparency, help Mystic Grove friends and fans keep up, and assist forming CUUPS chapters and other groups, we’re making it a goal to make more of our documents “public access.”
For many of us, being out in nature and appreciating its gifts and beauty is spiritually uplifting.
We’re going to see the exhibit on Sept 15. Meet at 11 AM in the gift shop and start exploring at 11:15. Stay as little or as long as you like. (Wear your Mystic Grove shirt or a bright blue T-shirt so we can find each other.)
The exhibit will be open until Sept 30th. If you cannot make it with us or on your own check out the Orlando Sentinel gallery online.
If you want to share what lights your spirit up email your photo to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org and tell us about it!
RITUAL
The next ritual is Mabon on Sept 22. Please being a non-perishable donation for the food bank or the pet food bank. Mabon ritual is our annual food drive one.
CALENDAR
We are HOPPING in September with something going on each week! Come on down and join us any time. Facebook RSVPs help us plan for supplies, so please check in if you can.
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.
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.” You are not expected to do all of these things. These are ideas to help you decided what YOU want to study more.
For final projects, will you create a peg doll of a personal deity or one you studied this term.
Thinking
Questions:
This month we study “Persephone” and “Finding Balance.”
Reflect on these questions:
When have you felt vulnerable or that your life was not in your control?
Do you feel that outside forces or destiny ruleyour life? Or do you have free will to chose?
We are seeking balance in our lives. What does that seeking mean?Is balance static or dynamic? What are we really looking for when we say we long for balance?
Persephone went from shy girl attached to her mother to a full woman standing in her power. Do you feel you are a “woman/man standing in your power”?A person full of confidence and desire, knowing what you want out of life? Where can you improve this in your life?
Have you ever had to walk away from something good but safe in your life because there was a hope for something even better?
Becoming the new Queen of the Underworld meant that Persephone had to leave her childish ways and accept adulthood. Have you ever had to “grow up” quicker than you would have liked? Has change ever forced you to accept things about yourself that you might not like?
What is something from childhood that you would like to bring back or return to in your adulthood?
The schedule PDF is 
The Mystic Grove 