February 29, 2024

I can’t; you can’t; we can’t; they can’t.… This wording is extremely harmful. Whoever said “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words would never harm me” never was told those words.  These words can be detrimental at best; highly impairing at worst. The extent of harm is far greater than one thinks. The mental abuse it can cause hearing it and repeating it to yourself can last years, or a lifetime. When you tell yourself you can’t, you... Read more

February 1, 2024

So, Imbolc is around the corner. My CUUPs group Sacred Wheel celebrated it this past Saturday, Jan. 27. We gathered in person and through Zoom at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, New Jersey for our ritual. Some may say that this is a bit too early to celebrate Imbolc. However, our ancestors never had a calendar to go by back then.   Christians celebrate Candlemas and in the United States and Canada it is Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is... Read more

December 30, 2023

Magic is everywhere. In December, the Soul Matters theme was mystery. If you ask me, that is only the beginning.  Starting in December, there is the mystery of Santa Claus and his famous reindeer. Some people won’t allow their children to believe in him because they claim he is Christian. Catholics do refer to him as the monk, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Around 280 C.E, St. Nicholas was born in the village of Patara, near Myra in... Read more

November 30, 2023

Often I hear, “You’re a witch! So you’re Wiccan…” This is only the beginning. This is how they relate the two. Words such as witch, warlock, heathen, spells, ritual and even, yes, Pagan and Wicca have different meanings than what’s taught. First off, before I even get into that, I’m going to jump back to “warlock.” No, men practicing Witchcraft are not warlocks, they are witches, just like women. The English version of a Scottish word, Warlock, on the other... Read more

October 31, 2023

The Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, New Jersey asked, “When did you become a UU?” What she meant was not when we signed our names to the membership registry, but to think further back. She gave us a piece of her history, including when she felt she became a UU. She discussed in her sermon some of those signs that pointed her in that direction. Of course, this made me think about myself... Read more

September 30, 2023

There’s no standard set of rules for ritual since everyone does them differently.  However, sometimes there are things that just don’t add up. These are some of my Pagan pet peeves. I’m sure I have more. Although there is no wrong way to hold rituals, format, quarters, correspondences and deities should make sense too. There needs to be valid reasons why something is the way it is. Saying west is green because it makes the grass grow hurts my head.... Read more

August 31, 2023

Last Sunday, during the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, New Jersey’s morning worship service, my mind went to the beach. The Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister, mentioned she finds rest at the shore. She vividly spoke about a bee who paid her a visit landing on her leg. Well, there was more to the sermon that resonated but that had me picturing the beach. And, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, I did have to quickly get my mind... Read more

August 1, 2023

While reading the summer issue of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, NJ’s Gazette, I thought about my path. The message from our ministerial intern, Sabrina Trupia wasn’t just about goodbyes but their adventure and taking the right path.  Sometimes the wrong path could lead you to the right one. Everything happens for a reason. My path has changed a lot in many directions. As I look back though, I believe that I wouldn’t be where I am if I... Read more

June 30, 2023

“Permission for Maximum Joy” a worship service crafted by both the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister and Intern Sabrina Trupia. Joy is a great thing and should be present in everything that we do. We should not be afraid to laugh, dance, sing, clap and get into it when we feel moved during a ritual. Raise energy! Sammler-Michael reflected on churches that had strict policies on what you could and couldn’t do during their services. One wouldn’t allow men to... Read more

May 31, 2023

Affirmations can help you create a successful spell. Not too long ago I said that spellwork is not just waving your hands; rattle off some words and voila. I focused on the importance of intent and effort. These are all still true and very important to remember.  Again, without having clear intention and putting in your effort then your chances of a spell working are slim. However, affirmations are just as important and need to be added. Important knowledge like... Read more


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