Posted in Other, tagged 2014, blog history, hits, Year in review on December 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,300 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Posted in Other, tagged african, culture, ethnic, Kwanzaa, Salt Lake Pagan Society on December 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Hail and joyous Kwanzaa! Habari Gani! The members of SLPS gathered to celebrate the cultural holiday Kwanzaa. This is the third year of Kwanzaa being held by SLPS, a great way to ring in the new year! The altar was decorated in the traditional style, with African heritage and cultural items, including the mazao-fruits of the seaons, the kinaara,-the seven slotted candle holder, the muhinidi-the corn representing the children, the zawadi- gifts, and the kikombe cha umoja-the cup representing family and community. A special African dish made for the occasion was presented on the atlar, chicken and groundnut stew with fufu. Discussion about the seven values of Umoja — Unity, Kujichagulia — Self-determination, Ujima— Collective work and responsibility, Ujamaa — Cooperative economics, Nia — Purpose, Kuumba — Creativity, and Imani— Faith took place over the meal. These values help to bring the community together and to forget the self, considering others and the purpose of remembering our roots to make a better world.
Posted in druidry, occult, Pagan, Ritual, Sabbat, wicca, tagged Alban Arthuran, Cernunnos, Hanukkah, oak king, Salt Lake Pagan Society, utah, wicca, Winter Solstice, yule, Yule King on December 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »
SLPS gathered together to celebrate the Winter Solstice, known as Yule or Alban Arthuan on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 6pm. The altar was decorated for Yule and a special Hanukkiah adorned the altar. The ritual started with Yule poetry. Everyone then presented gifts and honored Cernunnos, the lord of light and dark, Oak and Holly, born of the Goddess. He spoke to the members and blessed them for being present at his return. The Holly king’s power peaks at the time of year, gives way to the god of the waxing year, the Oak King, who will reign till Midsummer.
The reading of the traditional Hanukkah prayers and lighting of the candles took place. A traditional Yule log cake was the center cake, freshly bought from World Market. Bear foot pinot noir filled the glasses of the members. The Yule feastings included gorgonzola stuffed chicken, funeral potatoes, and potato soup.
Posted in magic, occult, Pagan, Sabbat, wicca, tagged Hanukkah, oak king, Salt Lake Pagan Society, utah, Winter Solstice, yule, Yule 2014, Yule King on December 20, 2014| 2 Comments »
The Wheel has turned and Yule is upon us! Also know as Alban Arthan or the Winter Solstice, the sun reaches its lowest depths before starting its ascent. SLPS will be doing a Wiccan Yule on Saturday, December 20, 2014. The ritual will also included lighting of the fifth night Hanukkah candles. The Yule king will be born, the Oak King come to rule till Midsummer. A Yule log cake will be prepared, and egg nog with brandy for the drink. The feast will include stuff chicken, potato soup, fufu, and green beans.
Posted in magic, moons, nature, occult, Pagan, wicca, witchcraft, tagged cold moon, December 2014 Full Moon, Full Moon Ritual, magic, moons, rites, Salt Lake Pagan Society, wicca on December 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The members of SLPS gathered to honor the Moon Goddess for the last full moon of the year, the December full moon known as the cold moon. This is the cold moon since its occurs around the longest and coldest nights of the year. Offerings to the goddess included red wine, in semblance of the blood of the members, and chocolate cookies, in semblance of their bodies, walking the path of the Goddess. Each month brings the opportunity to evaluate the goals set at the new moon, and work powerful magical rights and be recharged by the moon’s energy.
Full Moon Ritual, December Cold Moon, Altar, Woman Between the Wolves (r), Saturday, December 6, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT
Full Moon Ritual, December Cold Moon, Woman Between the Wolves, Saturday, December 6, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT
Full Moon Ritual, December Cold Moon, Full moon, Saturday, December 6, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT
Posted in Other, Volunteering, tagged Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, charity, children, clothing drive, community, donations, project, Salt Lake Pagan Society, service on December 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Thanks to everyone whom participated, donated, and helped make the clothing donation drive a success. The donation period ended December 5, 2014. The items were counted December 6, 2014 by President Muad’Dib, VP Shy Fox, Piggy, and Adam Knezevich. The total number of items to be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah is 319!!! After about two hours, all the unprocessed items fit neatly into 20 white bags to be picked up by the charity. We applaud all those who donated for giving back to the community and to those in need. You can find the official inventory list here.
SLPS Clothing Donation Inventory Fall 2014
Fall 2014 Clothing Donation Drive, Adam Knezevich (l) and Piggy, Saturday, December 6, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT
Fall 2014 Clothing Donation Drive, processed items in bags, Saturday, December 6, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT