During the 2020 annual meeting of White Oak Grove CUUPS our Board of Directors saw its first significant change in the executive leadership since the group’s inception as Betsy retired from her service as President. Continue reading “Changes in White Oak Grove Board of Directors”
Not all modern pagans celebrate Imbolc, but many wish to honor the cycles of nature in one way or another. It’s easy to pull together a simple altar space to cleanse and purify your home while encouraging those first inklings of new life from deep within the earth. Spring is beginning to stir. Small trays of crystals for healing and guidance, salt jars with purifying greens, and white candles can add a decorators touch to your home while still keeping the sacredness of your space in the forefront.
What will you put on your altar space this season? Here’s a peek at what’s on mine. Continue reading “Easy Imbolc Altar”
Shinto is the indigenous “religion” of Japan. It is not a “full” religion in that it has no written scriptures and is not a way to explain the world. Shinto teaches ethical practices but has no commandments. Shinto: Way of the Spirits was originally presented by Allen Reed for White Oak Grove CUUPS September 2, 2018. ©2018 Allen Reed
A flame within a chalice, first deigned by Hans Deutsch in 1941, is a primary symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. Many of our congregations kindle a flaming chalice in gatherings and worships and feature the chalice symbol prominently. What does this have to do with the greek Goddess of Home and Hearth? Continue reading “Hestia Symbolism in the Unitarian Universalist Association”
We will gather Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 12 PM at Rockford Unitarian Universalist to celebrate the fae spirits of awakening, fertility and rebirth. A fae-focused Beltane ritual that will include laughter and a May pole! Beltane is also a great time for hopes, dreams and aspirations to be wished on. We will prepare a community wish box to be buried in the rich soil of Mother Earth. The ritual should take about an hour and light refreshments will be served.
If you’re trying to learn Witchcraft—or anything really—a base of know Potion, brew, philter, bath, infusion, sachet, charm or mojo bag, Witch’s bottles and jars—there are so many different kinds of things Witches seem to make, aren’t there? Well, they don’t call it “The Craft” for nothing. Witchcraft and spells often involve actually crafting and enchanting different types of items. Continue reading “Magical Concoctions,Brews and Teas”
Join us on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 12 PM – 3 PM for our April discussion as guest speaker Jan helps us to explore the Feminine Face of God (Divine Feminine through the ages). Continue reading “Feminine Face of God – April Discussion”
Hestia, was the daughter of Cronus, Titan of the Harvest, and Rhea, Mother of Gods. Part of the first generation of Olympians, she was the sister to Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon. Hestia is the first and last, oldest and youngest, of the children of Cronus. First born of the siblings, she was the first to be swallowed by Cronus in his attempt to circumvent prophecy and not have his throne usurped by his children. A Homeric Hymn from 700BC tells us that as the first to be devoured by Cronus, she was also the last to be yielded up again.
Cultures throughout the world have expressed in their philosophies and mysticism the use of the elements to express the ideas of body, mind and soul. In the western world the elements most commonly used are Earth, Air, Fire and Water
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!
Magical Wands
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”
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.
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”
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.
White Oak Grove CUUPS 