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Archive for April, 2011

Thanks to everyone to attended this year’s Earth and Arbor Day ritual and gratitude ceremony.  This past Friday, April 29, 2011 at 4pm, members of UUPS met at President Muad’Dib’s House to perform a gratitude ceremony and druid tree blessings as part of honoring Gaia and giving thanks for all they have received. Member Sarah Cochran even brought along her Bast Goddess Statue to give praise to the Egypt Queen and lover of Cats! All deities were welcome. After the ceremony, the members walked outside to bless a newly planted apple tree. President Muad’Dib performed the tree blessing from the Ancient Order of Druids in America tree blessing rite. This invoke Nwyfre, the fire of life to come and attend that place where the tree is, give it strength health and life, and drawing the invoking and evoking rays of light from Awen to merge at the center where the new tree was planted. Blessed Holy Water sealed the blessing and the members went back inside for refreshments.

Earth Day Ceremony,  Gratitude altar to Gaia, Muad’Dib, April 29, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Earth Day Ceremony, Gratitude altar to Gaia, Sarah Cochran, April 29, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

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This spring term on April 21, 2011, a different kind of service project was undertaken. Prison pen pals was on the list for the members of UUPS this past April. A few people asked about why such a project was undertaken, to write to prisoners, to which President Muad’Dib replied “We believe firmly in outreaching to all people, free or not free. It’s not our place to judge who they are or what they’ve done just because they’re in a jail cell. They’re a people, they are human beings, and  deserve light and love not matter their circumstance.”

Initially there were some who had concerns about the project but after President Muad’Dib explained the motives, all took up the pen to write, “We weren’t asking everyone to put their home address on the letters! They had the choice to put the University mailing address we have or none at all. Our chief concern was making sure every person will receive a nice, uplifting letter to brighten their day. We wrote to people inside and out of Utah, Pagan, Christian, straight and gay.”

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UUPS had a good time giving out information and telling people about the club at the Grand Kerfuffle tabling on the west lawn of the U of U Student Union building on April 22, 2011. President Muad’Dib and member Sarah Cochran relaxed in the shade as students rushed by to class in the noon sun.

Grand Kerfuffle Tabling at the University of Utah, Sarah Cochran (l) and Muad’Dib, April 22, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

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In April 2011, an agreement was reached: Kindred Paths would become a sponsor of the U of U Pagan Society.

UUPS is very pleased to have the backing of Salt Lake City’s Finest full service Pagan store.

“I was very happy that we could work something out. I feel so much support from Kindred Paths and the community. We hope to maintain ties and build each other up in the process.” said President Muad’Dib

Steve Turner, the owner said “I don’t mind being associated, helping and supporting this great group of people. They are doing good things for the community and it’s important we help each other, instead of being isolated like a lot of folks tend to be.”

UUPS has no fiscal minimum set to be a sponsor, but welcomes everyone who is interested in becoming one.

Store front of Kindred Paths on Highland Dr and 3900 S.

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A change and evolution. The new moons will now include a drum circle and meditation by smokeless fire! A few members met under the dark shadow of the new moon Monday, April 4, 2011 to celebrate the cycles of Luna and ask guidance for the coming month. Since new moons are about setting goals, the members burned old goals in the fire and set new ones to wax in fruition with the waxing moon. Cookies and juice were the offerings to Luna. Till next we meet!

New Moon Ritual, Woman Between the Wolves (l) and Shy Fox, Monday, April 4, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

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Thanks to everyone for all the hard work accomplished in March! April has been a busy month, but isn’t holding anyone back!

KUTE Radio Interview

On Friday, March 18, 2011, President Muad’Dib was asked to appear on our very own 1620 AM University radio K-UTE.  President Muad’Dib was asked to explain and talk about the U of U Pagan Society, its goals, what it does, ambitions, history, current projects, membership and he was even invited to give a blessing on the campus!

Here is a little what he said, “The U of  U Pagan Society is a group of students who have reached out to include the community. We currently have seventy members and many monthly activities going on such as crafting classes, classes and rituals.” One of the hosts asked him at that point “What is a ritual?” He explained “A ritual can be a number of things.  For me it means a structured and repetitious ceremony that I can do again and again the same way, or feel free to change it.  For me, I incorporate different parts from different religions like Druidry, Shamanism and Wicca. A ritual for me is a way to connect with deity, ancestors, spirits and the universe.  Really it can be seen as a form of prayer or worship.”

When asked about community and student involvement, President Muad’Dib commented, “We are trying to educate and make everyone aware through experience.  We advertise classes and activities from other groups so that people who are living far away and can’t make it, can know that there are activities going on near them.”

Finally President Muad’Dib gave a simple but elegant blessing over the campus “May there be peace in your heart and success on your midterms this spring break, with lots of relaxing time on vacation. So mote it be.”

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