If you’ve been curious about the magical world of herbs, now’s your chance to join us! Our popular “Exploring Herbs” series continues this spring, and even if you missed the earlier sessions, you can still attend the final set of six classes.

In this hands-on series, you’ll learn about the energetics and uses of culinary herbs, enjoy cooking and tasting activities, and connect with fellow herb enthusiasts. Each class runs from 11 AM to 1 PM, offering a delightful mid-morning escape into the world of herbal wisdom.

BOOK

Our course is based on The Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Forêt.

You can also catch up on past lessons at our online notes: https://sites.google.com/view/mg-exploring-herbs/
New lessons open as the series progresses, so it’s easy to join in at any point!

DATES AND TOPICS

• Feb. 28, 2026: Elder
• Mar. 28, 2026: Turmeric
• Apr. 25, 2026: Astragalus
• May 23, 2026: Tea
• June 27, 2026: Nutmeg
• July 25, 2026: Cinnamon

LOCATION

Gore Hall at First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32803

REGISTRATION

To secure your spot, email Mary at mysticgrove@orlanduu.org.

COST

• $30 for the full six-class series
• $5 per class for “drop-in” students
• Optional $5 contribution to our scholarship fund

We also have 1 full scholarship and two half scholarships available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registered students are prioritized for materials and activities. “Drop In” students welcome with the understanding that supplies may run out if we did not know you were coming.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

You can pay online, by check, or in person. 

Visit http://www.orlandouu.org, click DONATE, and note “Mystic Grove Herb Class” in the memo line.

Mail checks to:
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 E. Robinson St
Orlando, FL 32803
Include “Mystic Grove Herb Class” in the memo line.

Front Office: Checks can also be dropped off at the church office (Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM) or brought to the first class. Call 407-898-3621 for details.

Whether you’re a seasoned herbalist or just beginning your journey, this series is a chance to explore, taste, and celebrate the magic of herbs. Don’t wait—register today and join the adventure!

Learn the basics of sewing in this hands-on class series designed for true beginners and returning sewists. Using How to Use Your Sewing Machine by Alison McNicol as our guide, students aged MS to adult will gain confidence operating a sewing machine and complete several fun projects along the way.

You’ll learn how to:

• Identify sewing machine parts
• Thread and operate a machine
• Sew basic stitches
• Read simple patterns
• Create useful sewing projects

No prior experience required!

CLASS DETAILS

• 11 AM – 1 PM on 2nd Saturdays in Gore Hall
• $10 per class or $70 for the series.
• Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to register. Class is limited to 12 students.
• Minors must attend with parent or guardian
• Bring your own sewing machine and basic sewing kit

Read more: Registration for Intro to Sewing Class is Open!

SCHEDULE

• Jan 10 (Optional): Sewing Kit and Sewing Machine Buying Help & Setup
• Feb 14 Lesson 1: Machine Parts & Sewing on Paper (No Thread)
• Mar 14 Lesson 2: Sewing With Thread – Felt Waves & Stitch Sampler
• Apr 11 Lesson 3: Cotton Drawstring Bag
• May 9 Lesson 4: Skirt or Pants for a Doll
• June 13 Lesson 5: Skirt or Pajama Pants for You (Patterns & Cutting Fabric)
• July 11 Lesson 6: Skirt or Pajama Pants for You (Sewing)
• Aug 8 Lesson 7: Class Party, Zippers, Velcro, and Technique Cards

WHERE

Gore Hall at

First Unitarian Church of Orland
1901 E. Robinson St.
Orlando, FL 32803

COST

Tuition is $70 for the series or $10 per class. Optional $5 extra toward the scholarship fund. There is 1 full scholarship and two half scholarships available on a first come, first serve basis. Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info about scholarships.

Due to the nature of the class, “drop in” students are welcome to observe, but we may not have enough supplies or sewing machines for guests to participate. Registration is strongly encouraged. 

PAYING ONLINE

You can use your card and pay or donate online at the main church website. Go to www.orlandouu.org and click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. When you fill the donation line in, please put “Mystic Grove Sewing Class” in the memo line.

PAYING BY CHECK

You can mail checks made out to “First Unitarian Church of Orlando” with “Mystic Grove Herb Class” in the memo line. You can mail them to

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

FRONT OFFICE

You can also bring your check to first class or to the front office during office hours and leave it with the church administrator. The church office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 1:00pm. You can reach front office at 407-898-3621.

Registration is OPEN for part 2 Lessons 7-11 in our “Exploring Culinary Herbs class.”

Even if you missed part 1 Lessons 1-6, come learn about the energetics and uses of culinary herbs. Class includes hands on activities, cooking, and fellowship from 11 AM to 1 PM!

BOOK AND NOTES

Source text is “The Alchemy of Herbs” by Rosalee de la Forêt.

Catch notes from past lessons at https://sites.google.com/view/mg-exploring-herbs/

As lessons are complete, new ones will open.

TIME

• 11 AM – 1 PM

DATES

• Aug 26, 2023 Peppers
• Sept 30, 2023 Basil (Note date change due to Mabon on Sept 23!)
• Oct 28, 2023 Mints
• Nov 25, 2023 Dandelion
• Dec 30, 2023 Garlic (Note date change due to winter holidays)

WHERE

Gore Hall at

First Unitarian Church of Orlando

1901 E. Robinson St.

Orlando, FL 32803

REGISTRATION

Email Mary at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to get your name on the student list.

COST

Tuition is $25 for the second series or $5 per class for “drop in” students. Optional $5 extra toward the scholarship fund.

There is 1 full scholarship and two half scholarships available on a first come, first serve basis. Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info about scholarships.

Due to the nature of the class, we will serve “series students” first and then “drop in” students until supplies run out.

PAYING ONLINE

You can use your card and pay or donate online at the main church website. Go to www.orlandouu.org and click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. When you fill the donation line in, please put “Mystic Grove Herb Class” in the memo line.

PAYING BY CHECK

You can mail checks made out to “First Unitarian Church of Orlando” with “Mystic Grove Herb Class” in the memo line. You can mail them to

First Unitarian Church of Orlando

1901 E. Robinson St

Orlando, FL 32803

FRONT OFFICE

You can also bring your check to first class or to the front office during office hours and leave it with the church administrator. The church office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 1:00pm. You can reach front office at 407-898-3621.

For more info, contact mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

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

From Jan – Dec 2018, our Moon Circle theme was “Gathering for Goddess” by B. Melusine Mihaltses.

We have archived some of the homework links below.  You can follow the ritual from the book, and then explore learning links.

• January: Skadi
• February: Oya
• March: Pele
• April: Ix Chel
• May: Baubo
• June: Saraswati
• July: Erzulie Freda
• August:  Persephone
• September: Corn Mother
• October: Maman Birdgette
• November: Hestia
• December: Amaterasu

At the end of each 6 month block, the students did their final projects.  They were to create little god or goddess peg dolls or art works.  You can view the photo gallery here.

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?
Small	Read your two other deity sheets. 71 Amazons 71 Amazons Charms 73 Amesha Spentas 73 Amesha Spentas Charms 75 Basque – Mari 75 Basque – Mari Charms 76 Balder 76 Balder Charms
Medium:	All the above PLUS Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large:	All the above PLUS Read pg 36- 58 from “Gatherings for Goddess”  by B. Melusine Mihaltses
DIY	Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another working that interests you related to this month’s theme/tradition. Articles Family Tree Poster Shinto Shrines, Priests, Rituals, and Customs Japanese Mythology Kagome crest (on the mirror) Omamori Arts/Crafts How to make an Omamori Shrine Gate (Torii) Video Amaterasu, The Sun Goddess The Ise Grand Shrine The Most Beautiful Shinto Shrines in Kyoto 8 Japanese Kami and Their Origins (Mythology) 10 Gods and Goddesses of JAPANESE Mythology Miscellaneous Myths: Amaterasu and the Cave Japanese Mythology: Story of Amaterasu

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?
Small	Read your two other deity sheets. 63 Tsao Chun 63 Tsao Chun Charms 70 Estanatlehi 70 Estanatlehi Charms
Medium:	All the above PLUS Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large:	All the above PLUS Read pg 520-535 from “Gatherings for Goddess”  by B. Melusine Mihaltses
DIY	Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another working that interests you related to this month’s theme/tradition. Articles Hestia (Wikipedia) Hestia – Greek Goddess of the Hearth and Domestic Life How to Make Amazing Homemade Butter In a Jar Correspondences of Hestia Music We Are the Power in Everyone Don’t You Know Fire Flow Free Beautiful Greek Music I Walk With the Goddess Video Hestia: the Goddess of Hearth and Home – Mythology Dictionary Greek Gods – Hestia virgin goddess of the hearth Hestia Goddess of the Hearth  Hestia – The Greek Goddess of the Hearth and Home

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.

Starting a New Block

• July – Dec 2018 Moon Circle Covenant (how we agree to be together while learning)
• Worldview Summary  (we respect others have their own worldviews)

Thinking Questions:	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?
Small	Read your two other deity sheets. 56 Baba Yaga 56 Baba Yaga Charms 57 Rainbow Serpent 57 Rainbow Serpent Charms
Medium:	All the above PLUS Try one charm from either deity sheet.
Large:	All the above PLUS Read pg 477-495 from “Gatherings for Goddess”  by B. Melusine Mihaltses
DIY	Mix and match your own combo from above and/or select another working that interests you related to this month’s theme/tradition. Articles Maman Brigitte She Comes from Angletere The Ancestral Lwa – Baron, Maman Brigitte, And The Lwa Ghede Meeting Maman Brigitte on Death’s Doorstep Magical Buffet Mythology: Maman Brijit, Loa of the Cemetary Music  Danse de Maman Drums of Death (African Voodoo Funeral) [Full Album] Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 1 – Funeral March For Weddings and Funerals by Dead Man’s Bones New Orleans Funeral “Flee as a Bird” Louis Armstrong “True Colors” Cindy Lauper Other Video The Secret World Of Pagan Death Rituals Take a tour of the U.S. oldest pet cemetery Sadhguru – How to deal with grief and loss of a loved one