Aphrodite has two birth stories, with the most commonly believed story is that from Hesiod’s Theogony, that she was born when Cronus cut off Ouranus’s genitals and threw them into the sea. So potent was the sky father that a great sea foam arose and from the sea foam Aphrodite was born and was carried to shore a on a scallop shell, fully formed and radiating beauty. In the Illiad however, Homer it is mentions that Aphrodite’s parents were Zeus and Dione.
Our Calendar of Events page has been updated with the upcoming events of 2019! The board is excited to be bringing in several guest speakers to lead monthly discussion groups, and for the first time ever we will be offering several new rituals this year! Check out our Calendar of Events page and be sure to save the dates!
The sword has held a place of power and ritual since it first started being made and used. Continue reading “Swords in Magic”
Janus is the ancient Roman God of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. A uniquely Roman God, Janus has no equivalent in Greek religion. However late roman period art from the Greek regions has turned up a handful of Janus inspired Hermes artworks. Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, one looking forward, the other back. This forward and backward, future and past, war and peace dichotomy embodies the nature of the God.
Definition: a wand is an energetic tool to focus intent and subtle energy to change oneself, others or one’s environment. Continue reading “Discovering Magical Wands”
Samhain is one of the four major religious festivals in the Celtic calendar.
Samhain is celebrated for three nights at the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half of the year. This has come to be October 31st, November 1st and 2nd on our modern calendars.
Samhain sees the end of one year and beginning of the new but is not quite either one.
Offerings that you make don’t need to be expensive or extravagant. Here are 10 simple gifts for the Gods that will show your devotion without breaking the bank.
Kristen recently (August 4th, 2018) lead the Sunday meeting in a discussion about Visualization and how it can be used in practice as it applies to our spiritual lives. These are the class notes for that discussion.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a shrine and an altar? In a previous White Oak Grove discussion, we talked about the differences, and saw a few contrasting examples for different paths and purposes.
It can be hard to find time in this busy world to appreciate magic, the Gods, and the natural world around you. If you’re looking for ways that you can reconnect with the magic within you, we’ve got 5 simple ideas for boosting your spirituality!
In ancient Greece, praying to the Gods is a sacred act – whether it be thanksgiving, praise, or simple conversation. The purpose of prayer and ritual is that of humans out to be closer to a God in love and respect. The act of trying to become closer to the Gods also draws the Gods closer to you.
Check out the class notes from a White Oak Grove previous discussion.
Continue reading “The Purpose of Hellenic Prayer and Ritual”
There will be no Hellenic Special Interest Group meetings in 2018. Thank you for joining us, and look for Greek themes in our regular discussions.
We will be hosting Hospitality for the Church Service on Sunday, October 1st 2017. Please arrive at 9am to help staff the required positions, you do not need to attend service in the sanctuary to be useful. Greeters, runners, and help with refreshments in the Hall is always needed. 9:15am – 11:30am
Our regular meeting will begin at Noon, and details are still being stirred up for a class by April on Kitchen Witchery!
This image came from our February meeting where we discussed the mighty Aphrodite.
Join White Oak Grove CUUPs on February 5th, 2017 for a discussion of Aphrodite: Goddess of Love. 12PM in the Rockford Unitarian Universalist library. All are welcome, youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Join White Oak Grove CUUPs on January 8th, 2017 for a discussion of Swords and Wands. 12PM in the Rockford Unitarian Universalist library. All are welcome, youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
White Oak Grove CUUPs is happy to announce that dates have been confirmed with the church for our 2017 Hellenic Special Interest Group. We will meet on the third Friday of each month in the church’s library from 6:30 – 9pm, with the lesson starting at 7pm.
Join our month discussion group as we explore Practices in Public Ritual. Cara Freyasdaughter will lead us in sharing etiquette and experiences that make ritual a good experience, what can ruin the experience, and general ideas of what to expect. We will discuss some best ritual practices for both ritual hosts and ritual attendees.
November 6th, 2016
from Noon until 3pm
Please RSVP on the Facebook Page
White Oak Grove CUUPS 