Administrator July, 2006

In the sacred circle gather ‘round

Where lost spirits are once ‘gain found

With no beginning there can be no end

Look outside yourself and call me “friend”



When the daylight darkens and night falls swift

When the skies are gray and the snow does drift

In the circle there is hope and light

To push back the fear of winter’s night

When the days grow long and all is light

the circle radiates with all its might

our joy and gladness become our shield

and a mighty power we can wield



Come to the circle, feel the wisdom rise

All here are welcome, love is the cord that ties



Gather round in a circle, the sacred wheel

Know the love that binds us is all that’s real

All despair and anger will fall from you

As you gather hope and know it is true



For hope is the light in the darkest place

It’s the music whirling in outer space

It’s the peace within us, the silent dove

That cleanses our hearts so we can love

So in the sacred circle gather ‘round

Where lost spirits are once ‘gain found

With no beginning there can be no end

Look outside yourself and call me “friend”

***

author bio:

author bio:

Mariposa is a UU Pagan of 8 years duration. She spends much of her time reading, playing Celitc harp, and writing poetry. She calls her method of writing "Muse-inspired", as she writes the poem complete and whole at one sitting with, usually, only very minor changes. Also, if she gets "inspired" she must right down the poem at once or she "loses it". Mariposa currently holds the Office of Spirit for the Church of the Sacred Circle in Salt Lake City, and is also clergyperson of that pagan church. She hopes to get training to become a volunteer for the "No One Dies Alone" hospice program that sits with dying patients when family and friends are not available.

Tags: Mariposa, poem

• Poetry

Administrator June, 2006

The weather turns warmer, rushing ever towards its Mother

The gentle stream of late summer is now a torrent, filled and fulfilling; turning, twisting the spring moves on in

the never ending Dance of Life

Rushing toward the Summer’s embrace, My soul, too, is a torrent

Of feelings, awakenings, expectations and desires reaching with growing strength towards the warmth of the sun at its zenith

My body wants to move and sway, but my mind is not sure it wants to DANCE

Young abound in cities and woodlands;

Meadows and marshes are filled with life

On a warm night, under the trees, couples

Gaze at the stars and, if they are lucky,

Hear the celestial music of the spheres

In hollows and hidden places, the faeries emerge from their hiding to dance in the light of the summer moon

Old as time and young forever, these spirits

of freedom know the steps to the Dance of Life

The young King frolics in the forest, growing in strength and wisdom, for this is truly his time

Midsummer, its enchantment reaches for our souls.

Will we as a race again hear its call?

Or will we, as we have for too many years, drown out its message with selfish, disenchanting distractions encroaching ourselves evermore into the realm of enchantment in a vain attempt to analyze, categorize, and claim it as our own.

Foolish, fooling race that we are

We stand at the pinnacle of technological advancements

Ready to step off the edge onto new heights

But our misunderstandings of our own magical selves

Are destined to throw us down unless we can reclaim

That enchantment to which we were born and have a birthright

But which the World Culture has taught us was invalid.

Look to the past, Oh Children of the Garden

Look to the cultures that still honor the senses and earth

Look to the few among us who have learned to live

A truly Enchanted and magic-filled life.

Be not dismayed by my word of "magic", for it is not in the

Worldly sense of tricks and illusions that I use it

But, instead, I use it as I would "mystery" and "wonder".

All the world is magic to a child

And as a child must we again become. All of us.

If we are, once more, and at last, going to regain a

Sense of the enchantment this earth, this life has to offer

And, in doing so, truly be able to dance again

The Midsummer Dance of Life.

***

author bio:

Mariposa is a UU Pagan of 8 years duration. She spends much of her time reading, playing Celitc harp, and writing poetry. She calls her method of writing "Muse-inspired", as she writes the poem complete and whole at one sitting with, usually, only very minor changes. Also, if she gets "inspired" she must right down the poem at once or she "loses it". Mariposa currently holds the Office of Spirit for the Church of the Sacred Circle in Salt Lake City, and is also clergyperson of that pagan church. She hopes to get training to become a volunteer for the "No One Dies Alone" hospice program that sits with dying patients when family and friends are not available.

Tags: Mariposa, poem

• Poetry

Administrator May, 2006

I’ve Volunteered to do a Ritual, Now What do I do?

A practical guide to performing public rituals

You feel drawn to volunteer to do public ritual. You volunteer, commit yourself and then…PANIC ATTACK! You’ve never done a public ritual…where do you start? What do you do? That’s what this article will address and discuss.

One thing to point out right away, there is really no “wrong” way to do a ritual. Whatever feels comfortable to you as the leader should be what you do. However, it is good to do enough research that you don’t end up mixing elements that end up being incompatible – with possible nasty consequences.

The first thing to do is to decide what your ritual will focus on. If it is for a Sabbat, research the various aspects of that day. What or who do you feel drawn to? What activities would be appropriate for the event? Will there be children? If so, how can that be taken into account? If you are doing a moon-based ritual, again, research your subject. Look at what each moon means in various cultures, or pick a subject that has to do with the season you are in, or something in your own life that would appeal to others. With some groups it is traditional (although not required) that some sort of “take it home” activity occur. If you are not “crafty” (and not all of us are) pick something easy or choose to do something more intellectual so that what is brought home is not necessarily tangible, but valuable nonetheless.

After figuring out what you want to do, the next step is to secure a site, and figure out when and what time. Get that information locked down and out to the public at least 3-4 weeks before the event so people have time to plan. Notify local lists, make flyers, put it in the paper if possible, get the word out as much as possible. If you are doing a feast afterwards, make sure you note that on the flyers, along with any instructions such as “bring food appropriate to the Sabbat” or “provide your own plates, cutlery and cups”. If needed, recruit helpers/fellow planners as early as possible also. If it is traditional to plan a feast for afterwards, make sure you also decide what you will bring and keep in mind where the ritual will be held so you can make suggestions as to food or drink to those participating in the activities.

Now it is time to start planning your ritual. Sit down and prepare an outline of what you want to do. This is your “recipe” for the rite. After you have the recipe down, make your “shopping list”. Write down (don’t rely on your memory, write it down!) all the items you will need. By that I mean, not only things like “salt, water, incense” but practical, little things like “bowl for water and salt, matches or firestarter, juice, cups, etc.”. Don’t forget to include those things you will put on your altar or altars. Don’t forget to include your feast offering in your “shopping list”. Also, if you have helpers “assign” them specific tasks in the outline so you know what YOU are responsible for and what OTHERS are responsible for. Make sure your helpers know well in advance what they are supposed to do so that they can prepare.

Once you have your outline, flesh it out. Are you calling quarters? Casting a circle? Doing something different to create Sacred Space? Are you indoors? Outdoors? These things need to be considered. Are you creating one altar? Or several? Make sure you make a comprehensive list of what you are putting on the altar(s) and put a checkmark or something next to anything you might need to buy so you don’t forget. One thing many people don’t remember to bring is an “offering basket/bowl” to be passed around or put on the altar or entrance for donations (assuming, of course, you are hoping to get reimbursed for your expenses). If you are asking someone else to bring libations, or things for the altar or ritual, make sure they are aware of this in advance and contact them a couple of days before to make sure they remembered it. A friendly reminder is usually appreciated and will save the person and you possible embarrassment at the ritual itself.

It is a good idea to make not only an outline, but a “script” of the ritual. The outline is great for your helpers to have so they know who is doing what when. But, unless you plan to do everything “off the cuff”, it might be good to actually write down, where appropriate in the ritual, what you are going to do and say. Memorize this if you wish, or keep it handy to refer to during the ritual. No one will fault you for having “notes”, especially if the ritual is complicated or lengthy. Personally, I would keep a first public ritual simple, but that is up to the individual and what help they have from other people. A lot also has to do with what “tradition” (if any) they choose to follow. Some traditions have very strict and complicated rules that must be followed if the ritual is going to be a true sampling of the tradition and not a rip off.

One thing to be very aware of…if you are doing a public ritual do NOT assume that everyone knows the “proper” way to do things according to the tradition you are using. Chances are, that is not at all true. Also, you might have “first timers” who have no idea what to expect. Before the ritual starts, make sure you explain a little about what is going to happen, any special things the attendees will be expected to do, etc. You don’t have to reveal any ‘mystery’, but a quick overview is always appreciated.

So, what “makes” or “breaks” a public ritual? In my experience it is all about organization and understanding your participants. It doesn’t matter if you base your ritual on Wicca, or Celtic Reconstruction, or Voodoo or whatever, just be organized about it. If you are planning an activity that will take some time and involve only one person or a few people at a time (such as doing divinations), come up with an activity that the others can do that relates to the ritual while they are waiting. Have appropriate music in the background if you just wish people to sit quietly and meditate. If there are going to be children present, be sure they have something to occupy themselves. Having to make “idle conversation” in the middle of a ritual while waiting for your turn at something is not conducive to a spiritual experience.

Questions to ask yourself before you commit to doing public ritual or at least before the day of the ritual:

1.     What is my reason for doing this ritual? What do I hope to bring to the larger community OR what do I hope to learn from doing this? (you can actually have answers to all three questions, sometime you both want to give and receive from a ritual)

2.     Who will be there? (i.e. children, lots of newcomers, etc). About how many will be there? How is the best way to handle the group size-wise? Where is the best place to hold this type of thing, considering the amount of people expected?

3.     Who can I call on to help? Where do I go to find the resources for research I need to do? Do I have the physical tools I need? (i.e. altar stuff, libations, etc.)

4.     If necessary, do I have the permits needed? If not, where do I go, who do I see? Do I have the financial resources to carry this out?

5.     Have I advertised this event adequately? Do I want to have lots of publicity, or only a little?

6.     Am I prepared for this? Have I rehearsed what will happen? Are my helpers all lined up? Are my supplies all bought and organized, ready to go? Have I planned for weather (if necessary)?

The biggest challenge for a first-timer doing public ritual is to be confident in oneself. Prepare, prepare, prepare but also be open to the unexpected and don’t be rigid. Don’t come down on yourself if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned…sometimes it just isn’t meant to. Once you have done the ritual, all the participants are gone, the place is cleaned up, and you are looking forward to sleeping because you are so physically and emotionally exhausted, take a moment and give yourself a “pat on the back”. You just accomplished something you can remember and be proud of the rest of your life. Leading a public ritual is to give a piece of yourself to the community. There is no greater gift than this.

***

author bio:

Mariposa is a UU Pagan of 8 years duration. She spends much of her time reading, playing Celitc harp, and writing poetry. She calls her method of writing "Muse-inspired", as she writes the poem complete and whole at one sitting with, usually, only very minor changes. Also, if she gets "inspired" she must right down the poem at once or she "loses it". Mariposa currently holds the Office of Spirit for the Church of the Sacred Circle in Salt Lake City, and is also clergyperson of that pagan church. She hopes to get training to become a volunteer for the "No One Dies Alone" hospice program that sits with dying patients when family and friends are not available.

Tags: help, how to, instruction, Mariposa, rituals

• Articles

Administrator April, 2006

Thoughts go swirling through my head
It is true, they ask, that tolerance is dead?
What means all these signs of the times
When lives are bought for a few dimes?

Are we, as citizens, becoming less aware
Of that which should cause the greatest fear?
It is not bombs or guns that destroy
Our freedom as if it were a mere toy,
but power wielded by those who should care,
but instead try to get away with as much as they dare.

Those leaders among us who do not try
To understand the deeper question of “Why?”
Such as why it matters to whom we pray?
Or why only a certain path is the true way?
Or why the color of your skin
Should matter when knee-deep in sewer is what you are in?

Our leaders should be people who care;
Our resources readily available to share.
To what god, if any, we should pray
Should not be spoken of any day.

To give good wishes, no matter your belief,
Is something that offers great relief.
But to be told this you must do
In a special way – this is not true.

Give thanks and ask blessings to whomever you will.
And work to keep this country truly free still.
Announce your intentions to all that you know,
“For the sake of us all, to this length I will go”.

To fight for our freedoms is our highest call.
To do this we must sometimes scale the “ignorance wall”.
That wall made from “Truths” that are not true.
Cemented by time, and very hard to break through.

But dedication and will can be called into play,
And will that and our courage we can win the day.
We can bring to this land a better sense of the Sublime,
I just hope that we can do so in time.

***

author bio:

Mariposa is a UU Pagan of 8 years duration. She spends much of her time reading, playing Celitc harp, and writing poetry. She calls her method of writing “Muse-inspired”, as she writes the poem complete and whole at one sitting with, usually, only very minor changes. Also, if she gets “inspired” she must right down the poem at once or she “loses it”. Mariposa currently holds the Office of Spirit for the Church of the Sacred Circle in Salt Lake City, and is also clergyperson of that pagan church. She hopes to get training to become a volunteer for the “No One Dies Alone” hospice program that sits with dying patients when family and friends are not available.

Tags: Mariposa

• Poetry