Archive for April 2012

USUPA Beltane 2012 by Dano

April 30, 2012 Event No comments

PLEASE READ THE BELTAINE FB EVENT PAGE! We just changed a few things. The site is clean so we don’t need people up there Friday afternoon.

Please be at the site and ready to go by 7 pm. yes ritual starts at sundown but it would be disruptive to show up later. **This is a closed ritual. Remember USUPA dues need to be paid before attending and you have to have been abiding by attendance rules. Why? because we want a safe environment both physically and spiritually and knowing YOU before helps create that. Non-members are not allowed( exception is spouses)**
0.6 miles from the gate in Green Canyon will be our ritual site and campsite will be just above that. please park by the USUPA banner and walk up the trail to the site. Please bring stories/poetry/songs to share over the Beltaine fires. please see the website for ritual details.

We need the following volunteers:
- 4 people to call the directions
- A man and a woman to start each of the Beltaine Fires
- Drummer
- 1 or 2 face-painters

We need everyone participating to bring these items along with their camping gear (if you are staying the night):
- at least 1 bundle of firewood (the fires will go all night)
- A bright strip of cloth for clooties
- Drum or tambourine (if you’ve got them)
- Bright clothing
- Colorful flowers

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Earth Day Reflections

April 24, 2012 Spiritual Journals No comments

Indulge me…

I kept thinking how hot it was, and how uncomfortable I might end up being from staying outside too long. I saw new people, and wondered what a different experience this would be. Were the new kids old hands at paganism? Would we scare them? I hoped they would feel welcome and tried to open a few lines of conversation.

Then we began the ritual. A perfect breeze rolled in, and brought the fresh smell of our Mother deep into my lungs. I stood silently listening to Megan conduct the ritual, feeling little bugs occasionally land on my skin. At first I brushed them away, but then I realized that I might need them there to help me connect, so I let the little fellas rest in my arm hairs.

Breathing deeply, eyes closed, I imagined myself sitting deep in green canyon’s shade, feet bare to connect with the Earth herself. I felt the sun and imagined tendrils of energy running through me between the dirt below and the sky above. I imagined a conversation that my body was able to have with the universe around me, and felt more relaxed that my life had purpose and direction. Not from any specific personality telling me what I should do, but that I had decided to make my life useful, according to my own mores.

As the conversation ended, I felt a bit drained, but that was resolved with some delicious cupcakes and juice. I appreciate the ritual we did to proclaim and renew our promises as stewards over Earth. I pledge to do my part by picking up trash as I’m walking, recycling, and foraging for re-usable items that I can use in my garden and home.

I had great conversation with those who came to attend for the first time, and hope that they feel welcome at future functions. I cannot wait to jump the flames of Beltaine.

Earth Day Ritual

April 21, 2012 Event No comments

(ritual written by Megan)

First, Megan explains the ritual and everyone takes their shoes off and enters circle through Eastern gate.

Directions and Deities
We will now call the directions for protection, strength, and support.

We call upon the powers of the East and welcome the winds of awareness to this circle.
May the winds continue to shape the land around us,
All the while providing us with the vision for change.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through the eyes of the wind;
Let us see the rustling of the leaves, the soft bending of blades of grass.
Let us see the Earth as it is and as it can be.

We call upon the powers of the South and welcome the fires of change to this circle.
May the fires be tamed and provide only the destruction that is needed for rebirth,
All the while teaching us of the importance of transformation.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through the eyes of the fire.
Let us see the cycles of life and death, the brilliant green that rises from the ash.
Let us see the Earth as it is reborn.

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Earth day ritual- oh my gods! It’s a map!

April 21, 2012 Event No comments

You Go HERE! ” It’s probably easiest to take 1200 E (the street that runs East of USU) and follow it until you hit 1900 N, then take a right and follow it all the way up. Eventually you’ll see a pavilion to your left (before you get to the actual canyon parking area); that’s where we’ll be :) ”-Megan

It is hard to read on the map but the street is actually 1900 N. Cell phones don’t work in the canyon so please be sure to arrive early/on time ( that’s 4 pm) We will do our best to hang the banner from where it can be seen on the road to make it easy for you.

 

Spring Cupcake fundraiser

April 10, 2012 Announcement No comments

On April 20th from 10 am to 3 pm we will be selling cupcakes again! $1 for delicious homemade delights of sugary goodness. We take cash, CC and debit cards cause we are FANCY. Sign up for booth times and cupcakes here. Bring your frosting and we will frost them at Kassie’s the night before.


All baking will take place the day before(19th), assembly of products into individual containers the night before(19th) at Kassie’s house around 9 pm, late I know but if everyone shows up with finished cupcakes all we have to do is package them and many hands make light work…with sorting and packaging at least 200 cupcakes..we’ll need help!

There will be two Square App devices to take CC/debit payments with so if you have a smart phone download the Square app and we will get USUPA bank info to you that day.

We’ve chosen Vanilla, Devil’s food, Strawberry and Carrot cupcakes for our spring fundraiser flavors. Click on the links for the recipe. We’d like to have cupcakes that look and taste the same but if you have a similar recipe that you love, use it! just something close is all we ask.

 

Agdistis / Cybele Lecture [Audio Recording]

April 5, 2012 Education and Information, Meeting No comments

For your listening pleasure, here is the recording of our Agdistis/Cybele meeting, where we discuss some of the dry historical information about Cybele as well as some of the major myths.

Agdistis Cybele

 
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