This month the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, New Jersey’s focus is on the meaning of intention. This is part of the January Soul Matters’ theme of “Living with Intention.” Intention is essentially your goal, what you want to happen. When Pagans prepare spells, we put our intent into them. I try to explain this to the mundane people by comparing spell work to ‘enhanced’ prayer. When people pray, they ask for the deity’s assistance but they have an intention... Read more
Music became both an entrance point and a thread to follow when it comes to my spirituality ... My Pagan station includes more upbeat and active music that reminds me of the joy and deep power of my spirituality. Read more
Let us breathe deeply to nourish and light our candles within. Then let us share our gentle glow with others in need of rekindling. Read more
Yule or Alban Arthan meaning “Light of Arthur” or “Light of Winter” in my Druid path is Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 10:58 a.m. ET. It is the shortest day of the year and known to the mundane as the Winter Solstice. It is so deep in Pagan tradition that one can openly practice without anyone knowing. We often discuss this topic in my CUUPs chapter Sacred Wheel at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, NJ. I tell them not to... Read more
Within the world of agriculture, there is a vital part of crop growing known as letting land “lie fallow.” To fallow a piece of earth is to leave it deliberately unsown – to let it rest. This time of rest allows more fertility to gather in the soil, guaranteeing a better crop later. It is also sometimes used to avoid a surplus crop that might go to waste, or to let the soil and associated microbiota rest and settle for... Read more
I recently took an adult religious education class at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, NJ (UUCM) led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. The course was on Walter Rauschenbusch’s text “A Theology for the Social Gospel.” He gave us an assignment to define sin and salvation as a UU. This really had me thinking. Since I am both a Druid and a UU, I do not believe in sin, especially original sin. After all, how is an innocent... Read more
Samhain, the time when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest, we can connect with our ancestors. It is commonly known by the mundane as Halloween. This sabbat though has two other equally important aspects people tend to forget. It is the last harvest and to Druids it is the Celtic New Year. Many Celts believe that between sundown Oct. 31 and sundown Nov. 1 time “stands still.” It is the “day” in the Year and a Day promise... Read more
For us Pagans, it is not just the changing of the seasons; the trees shed their leaves after transforming from the beautiful greens we saw all summer long to vibrant colorful reds, oranges, yellows, and gold. Second harvest is also a time to reflect and to give thanks for the great bounty we received. It is time to acknowledge all that we are grateful for this year. Read more
Irene Glasse writes, "The first hint of autumn to come is like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room. It clears my thoughts and ruffles my spirit, waking me back up to life." Read more
This month the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, NJ (UUCM) is following the Souls Matters’ theme of Possibility. This seems appropriate for where we are now, when all is changing again. One minute everything is opening up, then the next more necessary restrictions. Last month I spoke about adapting to both virtual and in-person gatherings. Now the COVID-19 Delta variant is postponing that option. My congregation is considering the possibility of pushing back Welcome Fest and the reopening of the sanctuary... Read more
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