Pagan Tokens in Everyday Events In our modern society, it's easy to overlook ancient traditions and their connection to our everyday events. However, many of our daily activities are steeped in pagan tokens that have been carried through generations. These tokens hold a deeper meaning and significance that often goes unnoticed. One example of a pagan token in everyday events is the act of blowing out birthday candles. This tradition traces its roots back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed that smoke carried their wishes and prayers to the gods. By blowing out candles on a birthday cake, we are unknowingly participating in this ancient ritual and invoking the blessings of the gods.
Recommended donation of $5. Facebook event here.
Spades and shears can also be useful for tidying the beds in the Labyrinth courtyard and clearing dirt where it s piled up on the stones of the Labyrinth. Since then, volunteers have worked to organize the library and incorporate additional materials donated to the library that are in keeping with the six sources of Universalist Unitarianism, expanding it beyond its roots as a resource for pagans.
By blowing out candles on a birthday cake, we are unknowingly participating in this ancient ritual and invoking the blessings of the gods. Another example is the practice of hanging mistletoe during the holiday season. Mistletoe was considered sacred by the Druids, who believed it had magical and healing properties.
September Events with Frederick CUUPS
September is here and early fall offers some wonderful gatherings and events! This month contains a fusion of in person and streaming programming as we navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Please join us as we stay connected and come together to honor the Earth, Gods, Ancestors, and Wheel of the Year.
Donation Yoga for Advancing Beginners
Tuesdays from 10 – 11 AM
One of the best ways we can stay resilient and healthy is to exercise and cultivate mindfulness. These donation classes with E-RYT 200 Irene Glasse are open to individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks past their last vaccination). At this time, masks are required inside the building. On days when the weather is nice, we will practice outside beneath the willow tree so that masks can be optional. If we are indoors, they must be worn correctly over both mouth and nose. An Advancing Beginners class is most accessible to people who have some basic familiarity with yoga and are able to comfortably take low lunge (lunge with one foot forward and the back knee touching the mat), tabletop, warrior two and other foundational yoga poses. Previous classes can be viewed here. Blackfeather Mystery School: Crow Course
The 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM
The Blackfeather Mystery School is a full-spectrum training in Empowered Witchcraft developed by mystic witch Irene Glasse and spiritworker Caine Dreamwalker. The 2021 series is the Crow level, an intermediate training. Prerequisites include experience journeying and cultivating spirit allies, a good understanding of the fundamentals of witchcraft, and a willingness to practice class content outside the classroom. Content includes sharpening Divination skills, Healing in both Witchcraft and Spiritwork modalities, Pagan Pastoral/Clergy Service, Past Life Reconciliation, Soul Retrieval, Dedicant Work, Psychopomp skill-building and more. Facebook Event here. Zoom link here. Class is currently available on Zoom only.
Thursday, September 2nd, 7 PM: Components of a Magickal Healing Session
Thursday, September 16th, 7 PM: Past Life Reconciliation I Earth Centered Spirituality Service
Sunday, September 9th, 12 PM
This time provides an opportunity to focus on the Sixth Source of Unitarian Universalism: “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.” Although we had hoped to return to in-person Earth Services, the rise of the Delta variant has caused us to reconsider. Here’s the Zoom link. If it asks for a passcode, please use: 536567. Facebook event here.
Labyrinth Cleanup
Friday, September 17th, 5 – 7 PM
Our September outdoor Labyrinth walk is Saturday, September 18th, which means it’s time to tidy up the Labyrinth! If you would like to help, please join us. This service to the community is not glamorous, but it is absolutely vital. With four volunteers, it only takes an hour to do. Remember to wear clothes you can get dirty in and sunblock/bug spray if you need it If you are vaccinated, you can wear a mask or not as you choose. If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask.The most effective way to clear the stones of the Labyrinth is with a string trimmer. If you have one you can bring along, that would be awesome. We also have a few that are available for use. Spades and shears can also be useful for tidying the beds in the Labyrinth courtyard and clearing dirt where it’s piled up on the stones of the Labyrinth. Facebook event here.
Library Blessing Ceremony & Open Browsing (Labyrinth Walk Afterwards)
Saturday, September 18th, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
It has been a long journey, but the UUCF Library is ready to open! Our library is home to a huge collection of metaphysical and pagan books, tarot and oracle decks, periodicals and more. Over the last two years, our Library Mages have been working diligently to get the library ready for borrowing. Join us for a ceremony to inaugurate, formally name our library, and offer blessings to support its work. Our ritual will be outdoors with books representing different topics in the library to carry the blessing. After the ceremony, there will be open browsing (masks are required indoors) for groups of four per library room. The Labyrinth walk will follow our ceremony, so there should be plenty of time to browse as well as walk the Labyrinth and enjoy the drum circle. Our collection can be viewed at www.librarything.com/catalog/UUCFLibrary
This library has been a labor of love for many people over years, from its start as part of the Open Hearth Foundation in Washington, DC. It was formed initially by books donated to create a resource for local pagans and those who follow or are interested in earth-centered spirituality. After the OHF closed, the library was eventually donated to the Frederick Covenant of Universalist Unitarian PaganS (CUUPS). Over 3,000 books, tarot decks, magazines and other items were transferred to the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Frederick. Since then, volunteers have worked to organize the library and incorporate additional materials donated to the library that are in keeping with the six sources of Universalist Unitarianism, expanding it beyond its roots as a resource for pagans.
Full Moon Labyrinth Walk, Drum Circle & Open Library Browsing
Saturday, September 18th, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Come enjoy the beauty and peace of the Labyrinth by the light of the full moon! This will be an outdoor, drumming walk. The event will be canceled in the event of rain.
If you are vaccinated and outdoors you can wear a mask or not as you like. If you are not vaccinated you must wear a mask. Per UUCF policies, you must wear a mask if you go inside the building.
The first half hour will be a quiet walk, the remainder drumming, so feel free to bring hand drums and other percussion instruments.
If you haven’t walked a Labyrinth before, there is no ceremony or ritual. A Labyrinth Walk is safe, open Sacred Space for personal exploration. Please plan to arrive by 9 pm to allow enough time for your walk. For an in-depth article on Labyrinths and what to expect at one of our open walks, visit this link: https://pinkpaganpriestess.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/an-introduction-to-labyrinth-walking/
This Labyrinth Walk follows our Library Opening Ceremony and the library will be available for browsing during the walk (masks required).
Recommended donation of $5. Please help support Labyrinth Walks at the UUCF. Facebook event here.
October Dark Moon Drum Circle
Saturday, October 2nd, 6 – 8 PM
Come together with community, connect with the rhythm and learn some new grooves with percussionist Strix from Kindred Crow. A drum circle is a celebration of life, community, and music-making in the moment. Please bring hand drums, shakers and other hand percussion. A few small hand drums will be available if you do not have your own.
Dancers welcome, fire spinning welcome if you bring your own Safety.
Mask Guidelines: if you are vaccinated and we are outdoors, you can wear a mask or not as you like. If you are not vaccinated you must wear a mask. All people over age 2 must be masked when inside the building. Facebook event here.
October Earth Centered Spirituality Service
Saturday, October 10th, 12 PM
Join members of the Frederick CUUPS community for our monthly Earth Centered Spirituality Service. This time provides an opportunity to focus on the Sixth Source of Unitarian Universalism: “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.”
Although we had hoped to return to in-person Earth Services, the rise of the Delta variant has caused us to reconsider. This month’s Earth Service will be on Zoom. Here’s the Zoom link. If it asks for a passcode, please use: 536567.
Recommended donation of $5. Facebook event here.
Open Samhain Ritual: An Underworld Journey
Saturday, October 23rd, arrive between 7:30 and 8:30 PM
Join Frederick CUUPS for an open outdoor Samhain Ritual! Samhain falls at the time of year when the light noticeably fades. We honor death as a part of the sacred circle of life and honor our loved ones who have crossed the Veil.
This ritual is an opportunity to move through Sacred Space. As such, there is no set start and finish time–it does not have a group ritual structure. Your journey will take you around the grounds of the UUCF. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes – the path will be uneven in places. We will hold the space open from 7:30 to 9 pm, and you should expect to spend somewhere between a half hour to an hour on your journey. Please arrive no later than 8:30 to begin your journey.
Participants each need to bring one small bag with them – a drawstring fabric pouch large enough to hold a handful of coins is recommended.
Parents, please remember that grief is a part of Samhain – this ritual is recommended for ages 12 and up. Please consider whether your child will be comfortable exploring the emotions of loss and grief.
Traditional dress for Samhain is harvest colors or dark colors (mourning dress).
Recommended donation is $5. Facebook event here.
It was a symbol of fertility and protection, and kissing under the mistletoe was believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Today, hanging mistletoe has become a beloved tradition during Christmas time, symbolizing love and romance. Similarly, the practice of carving pumpkins for Halloween has pagan origins as well. The ancient Celts used to carve vegetables, primarily turnips, and place a candle inside to ward off evil spirits during their harvest festival known as Samhain. This tradition eventually evolved into the modern-day tradition of pumpkin carving, which has become synonymous with Halloween and is a staple decoration during the holiday. These are just a few examples of how pagan tokens have found their way into our everyday events. They serve as a reminder of our connection to ancient cultures and the rich tapestry of human history. While the origins of these traditions may have been lost or forgotten over time, their essence lives on through these tokens. So next time you blow out your birthday candles, find yourself under mistletoe, or carve a pumpkin, take a moment to appreciate the deeper meaning behind these seemingly mundane activities. Remember the ancient traditions that have shaped our world and think about the countless generations that have carried these pagan tokens from the past into the present..
Reviews for "Paganism and Modern Witchcraft: Exploring the Connection"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Pagan tokens in everyday events". The author seemed to be forcing pagan beliefs into every mundane situation, making no effort to provide a well-rounded perspective or engage with other religious or spiritual practices. As someone with different beliefs, I found the book to be narrow-minded and exclusionary. I was hoping for a thoughtful exploration of pagan traditions and their relevance in modern society, but instead, I found it to be nothing more than a biased manifesto.
2. John - 2 stars
While I appreciate the author's attempt to bring pagan traditions to light, "Pagan tokens in everyday events" fell short of my expectations. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights into the subject matter. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda and preaching rather than offering a well-researched and balanced perspective. As someone interested in exploring different spiritual practices, I was disappointed by the lack of nuance and scholarly approach in this book.
3. Emma - 2 stars
I was intrigued by the concept of "Pagan tokens in everyday events," but ultimately found it to be underwhelming. The author's writing style was dry and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Additionally, I felt that the connections made between pagan beliefs and everyday events were often forced and lacking in substance. While I can appreciate the author's passion for paganism, I believe this book could have benefited from a more structured and comprehensive approach.