Archive for July, 2016
2nd Annual Ogden Pride Festival
Posted in LGBT, Tarot, Vending, tagged LGBT, Ogden City Amphitheater, Ogden Pride Festival, Ogden Pride Festival 2016, palm reading, queer community, tarot reading on July 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Lughnasadh 2016-Bountiful Harvests!
Posted in Pagan, Ritual, Sabbat, wicca, witchcraft, tagged ale, anaheim, apricot mango jam, apricot oregon grape jam, baquieu lettuce, beer, Charleston SC, cock candles, cornmeal muffins, dill, first harvest, garden harvest, garden pickings, gullah, gullah stewed squash, homemade jam, John barleycorn, Lammas, Lugh, lughnasadh, Moab Brewery, okra, onions, oregano, parsley, plum apricot jam, plum jam, Salt Lake Pagan Society, serrano, shallots, shishto, tomatoes, Wyld, yellow summer squash on July 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »
SLPS met under cool sky, warm earth, and to the sounds of crickets in the late July evening to celebrate Lughnasadh, the first harvest, and honor the Celtic God Lugh on Saturday, July 30, 2016. The altar was set, adorned with seasonal items, cock candles, corn, nude Lugh painting, and flowers. The fruits of the first harvest, the Society garden, were presented before the Gods. The harvest included: baquieu and romaine lettuce; onions; shallots; shishito, serrano, and anaheim peppers; okra, yellow squash; parsley, oregano, and dill herbs. Four types of jam from the fruit trees that have produced from the garden: apricot mango, apricot oregon grape, apricot plum, and plum (plums from the red plum trees on the curb). The Society is greatly blessed to have such harvests from the Good Earth Mother, Gaia. All the hard work of the garden has paid off!
Homemade cornmeal buttercream cupcakes were made by member Stesah Bowden. Wyld Extra Pale Ale and Moab Brewery Dead Horse Amber were the drinks of choice for John Barleycorn, who is burned as an offering from the wheat/corn to the gods at this time. Without the god Lugh, Lughnasadh is celebrated at Lammas, as a holiday of thanksgiving surrounding the first of three harvests that happen in August, September, and October.
The members meditated to the song “Lammas” on the album Circle of the Seasons by Lisa Thiel. The members went around afterwards in a circle and offered up thanks for all the things the were grateful for in life, lending that energy to the overall gratitude of the harvests.
The feasts including sauteed yellow squash with bacon, onions, and shallots (a traditional Gullah/Charleston, SC recipe by Muad’Dib who hails from that part of the world), BBQ-ed ribs, and chicken mole enchiladas.
Lughnasadh 2016, altar, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, harvests of the Society garden l to r- baquieu and romaine lettuce; yellow squash; Anaheim, Serrano, and shishito peppers; okra; shallots; onions; parsley, dill, and oregano herbs. Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, altar with harvests l to r-romaine lettuce, yellow squash, Anaheim, Serrano, and shishito peppers; okra; tomatoes; shallots; onions; parsley. Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, cornmeal and buttercream muffins, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, fruit jam from fruit tree harvests l to r- apricot mango, apricot Oregon grape, plum, and plum apricot, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, Woman Between the Wolves lighting south candle, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, l to r- Shy Fox, Muad’Dib, and Woman Between the Wolves, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, preparing sauteed squash with bacon, onion and shallot (from garden), Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016, feast: chicken mole enchiladas with guacamole, ribs with mustard bbq sauce, and sauteed squash, Saturday, July 30, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Report-The Satanic Temple Unbaptizes Salt Lake City!
Posted in Other, Satanism, tagged baphomet, mock ritual, The Satanic Temple, The Satanic Temple-Arizona Chapter, The Satanic Temple-Utah Chapter, Unbaptism on July 25, 2016| 4 Comments »
The Satanic Temple-Utah Chapter has been up and running since February of 2016. Holding regular open meetings at the public library, they have encouraged the community to think rationally and to consider the separation of church and state.
The temple hosted an unbaptism for Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 24, 2016 from 7-10pm at club metro. Cost was $10 at the door. Participants were required to sign their soul over to Satan, which protected the event from those unworthy of being unbaptized (meaning protesters). About thirty people participated, dipping hands in dry ice, having upside down crosses painted on their forehead in fake blood, or being lit on fire (members of the temple).Those conducting the rites were in ritual regalia (or none), with Baphomet watching in the background. Sketch Cabaret of Salt Lake City helped provide entertainment. The chapter head of Arizona, Stu De Haan, participated in the rite in support of the Utah Chapter.
From TST’s Facebook, they posted about the unbaptism
“Within many theocratic constructs, baptism is both the key to one’s salvation and a claim placed by the church on its members. This claim is purposefully imposed on infants or children too young to understand what is being asked of them, who are expected to forever be subservient to the theocracy of their upbringing. It is a vow to never question or seek out truth, a complete relinquishment of personal power, and a lifetime of servitude to a vengeful dictator.
But here, now, we stand before you and embrace the name of Satan not as a deity but as a symbol of rebellion against these impositions. A claiming back of our inherent right to personal sovereignty and morality. We are here to shed ourselves of our previous submissions and in doing so, we are reborn into our chosen life led by Satanic ideals of liberty, justice, benevolence, empathy, and common sense.”
The event had been well advertised, with flyers posted around the city from original artwork done by one of the core council member Autumn Rogers and online with digital art done by the art director of the Arizona chapter Morgan Elizabeth. The temple hopes to make it an annual event.
(Photos used by permission of The Satanic Temple-Utah Chapter)
Flyer for The Satanic Temple-Utah Chapter done by Autumn Rogers
Flyer for The Satanic Temple-Utah Chapter Unbaptism event by Morgan Elizabeth of the Arizona Chapter.
The Satanic Temple-Utah, Unbaptism, Sunday, July 24, 2016, Club Metro, Salt Lake City, UT
The Satanic Temple-Utah, l to r back- Chalice Blythe, Nathaniel, Autumn Rogers (mask), Stu De Haan (end), Unbaptism, Sunday, July 24, 2016, Club Metro, Salt Lake City, UT
The Satanic Temple-Utah, Unbaptism, Stu De Haan (left center) and Nathaniel (right center), set on fire, Sunday, July 24, 2016, Club Metro, Salt Lake City, UT
The Satanic Temple-Utah, Unbaptism, Chalice Blythe (center) and Autumn Rogers (mask), Sunday, July 24, 2016, Club Metro, Salt Lake City, UT
The Satanic Temple-Utah, Unbaptism, l to r- Chalice Blythe, participant, Autumn Rogers, Sunday, July 24, 2016, Club Metro, Salt Lake City, UT
Lughnasadh 2016
Posted in druidry, occult, Ritual, Sabbat, wicca, witchcraft, tagged 1st harvest, harvest, Lammas, Lugh, lughnasadh, Lughnasadh 2016, Thanksgiving on July 23, 2016| Leave a Comment »
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual-Jam Making
Posted in esbat, moons, Other, wicca, witchcraft, tagged apricots, buck moon, food magic, full moon, homemade jam, Jam, jam magic, jam making, july 2016 full moon, kitchen magic, mason jars, oregon grape, Salt Lake Pagan Society on July 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »
A little summer kitchen magic! Jam Making… that’s what the members of SLPS did for their July full moon, known as the Buck moon when young buck’s antlers grow and come in, on Saturday, July 17, 2016.
The apricots and Oregon grapes used for the jam mix had come from the Society’s own back yard. The apricots and grapes were processed and heated with lemon juice and pectin. Sugar was added and a roiling boil achieved. The jars and lids were heated in a water bath to prevent bursting from the heat differential. The jars were filled and set upside to seal the lids while they cooled. After 5 hours, the society output 23 mason jars of apricot Oregon grape jam! The taste is sweet yet wild. Delicious!
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-Stesha Bowden (l) and Shy Fox cutting apricots, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buk Moon Ritual, jam making-Oregon grapes, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-apricots and Oregon grapes processed, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-cooking apricot and Oregon grape jam mix and bathing jars, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-Muad’Dib stirring jam mix, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-set up, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-filling jam jar, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 Full Buck Moon Ritual, jam making-jam jars sealing and cooling, Saturday, July 17, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Druid Community Meetup
Posted in diversity, druidry, Pagan, tagged AODA, Awen Oak and Sage, druidry, druids in Utah, Utah Druid Community, Warm Springs Park on July 12, 2016| Leave a Comment »
A new meeting took place Sunday, July 10, 2016 for the druid community. President Cureton formed a Facebook group after noticing there wasn’t a group in Utah for the druids. One of the members took action and planned a simply picnic with ritual. Those who attended had a fabulous time in the early July morning, finding joy in community and meeting other druids. “Druids in Utah tend to be alone in the woods (pun intended). So few meet ups, rituals, or other activities. It all tends to be centered around witches, wiccans, and trad craft. There was a group that folded a few years ago, Nine Silver Hazels, and one or two Celtic reconstruction groups here, but they are secret. In total I only know about 10 druids in the state and about half of them are ADF (Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship)”, said president Cureton.
SLPS looks forward to the new growth and outreach to come. President Cureton also started a local home circle called Awen, Oak, and Sage (also Facebook) from AODA (Ancient Order of Druids in America) for those interested in revivalist Welsh druidry.
Utah Druid Community meetup l to r- Seth and Kay Mildenhall, Josh Williams, Christina Neville, Sunday, July 10, 2016, Warm Springs Park, Salt Lake City, UT
Picking Fruit for Jam
Posted in garden, Other, tagged apricots, fruit trees, homemade jam, oregon grape, society garden 2016 on July 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »
SLPS has 20 fruit and nuts trees, with lots of variety. Apple, plum, peach, pears, nectarine, apple, almond, and apricot! Blueberry bushes, Oregon grape, and concord grape as well as strawberries abound. The apricots and Oregon grape came in and have been pick off one tree, ready to be made into homemade jam. SLPS has a long tradition of jamming it’s fruits, but sometimes so many come in that the trees have to be propped for support!
Fruit gathering for homemade jam making, apricot tree supported with boards due to so much fruit, Sunday, July 10, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Fruit gathering for homemade jam making, Muad’Dib getting apricots, Sunday, July 10, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Fruit gathering for homemade jam making, gathering Oregon grapes, Sunday, July 10, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City Pagan Pride To Reorganize
Posted in Other, Pagan, tagged Liberty Park, reorganize, salt lake city, Salt Lake City Pagan Pride on July 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »
A planning meeting took place for the SLC Pagan Pride Day committee and board on Friday, July 8, 2016. The organization has decided to growth the festival, which means creation of news offices such as a PR person, tech, and policy writer, adopting an ethical standard of business practice, and beefing up the digital heritage and infrastructure with a controlled domain. The goal of the new phase of Pagan Pride is to reach out to the state of Utah to provide education, culture, and foster unity in the community while growing the festival, which will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City
July 2016 New Moon-Ritual to Columbia
Posted in esbat, Pagan, wicca, witchcraft, tagged apricots, columbia, Goddess Libertas, Goddess of America, Independence day, July 2016 New Moon, July 4th, new moon ritual, Stars and Stripes Forever on July 4, 2016| 2 Comments »
SLPS met on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 9pm to honor the goddess of America, Columbia. The altar was decorated with Independence Day decorations (for July 4th). Pomegranate wine and apricots off one of the society trees were offered. Stars and Stripes Forever, one of the most patriotic American marches by John Philip Sousa was played as members danced around the altar with flags and pinwheels. We asked the Goddess to watch over the USA, guide the political leaders to be favorable for civil liberties, and offered thanks to the Native Americans who continue to grant the white people favorable passage on their lands (i.e, the USA).
July 2016 New Moon, ritual to Columbiana, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 New Moon, altar center, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 New Moon, offerings from the apricot tree, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
July 2016 New Moon, the apricot tree (with supports), Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden Growing Strong!
Posted in garden, nature, tagged artichoke, cabbage, Corn, eggplant, fruits, gardening, herbs, leeks, lettuce, nature, okra, onions, peppers, plants, pumpkins, Salt Lake Pagan Society, shallots, society garden 2016, squash, tomatoes, vegetables, watermelon on July 4, 2016| Leave a Comment »
The society garden is growing strong! A month and a half of growing and many of the plants have bushed, vined, and stalked. Only a couple were lost, one cucumber, one corn, one pepper plant, and some onions. All in all, not so bad! The loss mainly may be due to the gophers or bad starters.
Peppers are coming in, vines on the watermelons and pumpkins have taken off, lettuce is growing high, squash is bushing, corn stalks are about 2 feet high and already show tassels, and onions are getting thick. The society is blessed with many plants and few pests!
Society Garden 2016, artichoke, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, peppers, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, peppers, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, anaheim pepper, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, Serrano chilies, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, celery, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, okra, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, watermelon, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, pumpkins, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, pumpkin patch, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, corn, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, yellow squash, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, leeks, cabbage (top) and lettuce (right), Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, baquieu lettuce, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, cabbage, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, view looking down garden with corn (back), squash (back middle), lettuce (middle), leeks (right), and cabbage (front) with Woman Between the Wolves, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, square garden area with tomatoes (back), cucumber (back middle), tomatillos (back middle right), shallots (front middle) and onions (right), Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, herbs Parsley (back), dill (cage), cilantro (front left) and oregano (right), Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT
Society Garden 2016, view of garden along fence, Saturday, July 2, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT