A question on the Ethical Witches list asked for opinions on the key to creating a memorable ritual. Here’s my response: I don’t know about “memorable”, but I think the primary key to rituals that are meaningful and successful is alignment: not so much the alignment of stars and planets (although that never hurts) but the alignment of intent and action among all the participants. Are you all working for the same outcome? Is your goal appropriate for the deities... Read more
As I write this, oil prices have dropped below $50 a barrel for the first time in almost two years, down from over $140 back in the summer. Last night I filled up for $1.73 a gallon, a level GasBuddy.com says Dallas hasn’t seen since early 2005, and down from as much as $4. Cathy and I have fuel-efficient cars (I have a Prius, she has a Honda Fit), but that still saves us around $120 a month. I can... Read more
Amy Martin is now in her 16th year of leading one of the largest Winter Solstice celebrations in the country. It’s more alternative spirituality and less explicitly Pagan like the stuff CUUPS does, but it’s still well worth your time to drive to Dallas to be a part of it, particularly if you haven’t been before. One word of caution – get there early. Last year the seats were pretty much gone by 6:45. 16th annual 2008 Winter SolstiCelebration theme:... Read more
At the CUUPS Fall Business Meeting this Saturday, I was re-elected as Coordinating Officer. This will be my fourth term in this role (Denton CUUPS has no term limits) – I’m ready to stand down as soon as anyone else wants to step up, but until then, I’m happy to continue trying to keep things coordinated. After two years of service as Education Officer, Dolores has decided to step aside (she’s got her plate full as DUUF President) and Michi... Read more
Lately I’ve come across several Christian fundamentalist preachers and blog commenters emphasizing “the sovereignty of God.” Their argument is basically that since God is all powerful, and since God created everything, it all belongs to him, and he can do whatever he pleases with it – including casting some of his creations into eternal torment. “Good” is defined as whatever God wishes; our only proper response is to praise him for his power and majesty. This is what happens when... Read more
When I was a kid, my mother used to warn me about “hanging out with the wrong crowd” (isn’t that a universal mother-ism?). She needn’t have worried – the “wrong crowd” wouldn’t have anything to do with a geek like me. But her point – that we are influenced for good or for ill by those around us – was still valid. When he first ran for President in 2000, I thought George W. Bush was a good man with... Read more
This is truly an historic occasion – the election of our first African-American President (our first non-white President) and the rejection of the policies and politics of the past eight years. It is a time to celebrate – but only for a while. I first heard Barack Obama speak at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Afterwards, I told a friend “remember this guy – he’s going to be President in 2012.” OK, so I was off by four years. But... Read more
I’ve never paid much attention to people who want to take off work for religious holidays. Not that I’ve opposed “reasonable accommodation” – I just didn’t see the need for it. After all, most of the services and celebrations are at night or on weekends (which does create a problem if you work nights and/or weekends…). But any more weekends like this one and I’m going to have to take a religious holiday to recover from the religious holiday! Friday... Read more
images from the Robin Wood Tarot Last Saturday I went to the RE Halloween Party and did Tarot readings. I wasn’t sure what to expect, reading Tarot for a bunch of skeptical UUs, but I had no shortage of customers – I read for about 90 minutes straight (which is rather exhausting!). The readings went much more smoothly than I expected. The cards seemed to speak to me – I pointed out details that I rarely notice when I’m reading... Read more
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