After about a six month break, USUPA has found new leadership and resumed operations at USU this fall, 2013. After the graduation of the first president and founder, Kassie Cressall, USUPA underwent a time of uncertainty. The activities became fewer until there none, communications and other advertising slowed to a dull roar and the leadership all but vanished. Over late spring and summer of 2013 USUPA found a new leader. A current student at USU, Anya Hawke has stepped forward to take on the reigns of the organization. From a Facebook message to SLPS president Daniel Cureton dated August 10, 2013, Ms. Hawke commented on her new position and upcoming events for USUPA “Well, we don’t have many plans set in stone at this point. We’re meeting next week to work those out. But our tentative plans are to have a booth out on quad for Club Day during the first of classes to help spread the word that we’re back. Then we will have monthly full moon rituals, movie nights probably about as often, and classes as often as we can get volunteers to teach them. Witches’ Tea, our Saturday meet up to chat and chill will happen every week. Our traditional location the Citrus and Sage, might change since they might be closing down. We will be holding a Samhain ritual that will be open to the public like we used to, as well. The goal is to become a self sustaining club. One that will continue after I step down as president. The current leadership includes me as President, Brie as Vice President, and Alina as our Publicist/Public Relations Officer. We want to keep this club a safe and open place for people that follow a less conventional path.” Since USUPA will be back up and running, LUPA-Logan Utah Pagan Alliance, the temporary community organization run by Ms. Cressall will close it’s door and give the space back to USUPA. SLPS wishes them luck and success as they get back on their feet!
Posted in Other, Pagan | Tagged USUPA, Utah State University Pagan Alliance | Leave a Comment »
Starting this fall, 2013, Utah Valley University is getting its own pagan club. SLPS advertising director Sergey Khrushchev who currently attends UVU is starting a space for all the pagans at UVU and the surrounding community. Speaking about the experience of getting the club going, Mr. Khrushchev said “I was surprised there wasn’t a group here when I transferred to UVU. I knew it had to happen so I took on the challenge of getting the space going despite having a campus job and classes that take up so much time. There are pagans here and I’m here to let them know that they have a space!” UVUPA has a few members so far, including the Rev Avalon Starr of The Church of the Sacred Circle-South (Utah County). With the support of CSC and SLPS, we hope that UVUPA will blossom and find a permanent space at UVU. The last pagan club that existed at UVU folded sometime after their winter solstice of 2010. SLPS sends UVUPA light and love on their new journey and will be there with them along the way!
Posted in Other, Pagan | Tagged Paganism at UVU, student clubs, Utah Valley, Utah Valley University Pagan Association | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to all who came and made the U’s Orientation events a hit! SLPS tabled at Plazafest on Thursday, August 29, 2013 doing free tarot and other readings from 10am-2pm on the west lawn of the Student Union building. SLPS got many people interested in tarot and the society itself! The Welcome Week full moon ritual had three people who got a free reading attend. A short thirty minute ritual honoring the moon goddess was performed at president’s circle. The traditional circle was cast and the chant We All Come From the Goddess by Lindie Lila on her ablum Return Of The Goddess: Sacred Chants For Women. The Moon Goddess was happy to be present and bless everyone for the new semester! She awaits another time to return!
Posted in magic, Pagan, University, Vending | Tagged free tarot readings, full moon ritual U of U, student club, university of utah, University of Utah magic, University of Utah President's Circle, Welcome Week | Leave a Comment »
With the arrival of fall semester and the return of the students, it is time for tabling again at two of the big events of the beginning of the fall season. Plazafest and Welcome Week are back. On Thursday, August 29, 2013 SLPS will be tabling from 10am-2pm giving free tarot card readings and more information about the Salt Lake Pagan Society. If you’re in the area, stop by the booth on the west lawn of the U of U Student Union Building. At 3pm there will be a full moon ritual at the flag pole at president’s circle. Hope to see you all there!
Posted in magic, Other, Pagan, wicca | Tagged Full Moon Ritual, Student union, University of Utah fall term, Welcome Week | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to the few members who came to the full moon ritual on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 8pm. August brings the birthday of Krishna and so an offering to him was presented along with some chants by MC Yogi from his Elephant Power album. A sacred fire was lit and some full moon drumming too place as part of meditations and relaxation after the long weekend and before classes officially start on Monday, August 26, 2013. It was a spiritual evening under the blessing of the moon goddess.
Posted in druidry, magic, Pagan, shamanism, wicca, witchcraft | Tagged fire pit, Full Moon Ritual, Full Moon ritual August 2013, MC Yogi, moon magick | Leave a Comment »
Everyone had a great time on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 3pm at the Ogden Canyon Hot Springs. This trip brought new moon cleansing energy as well as earth powers that reset, recharged, healed and washed clean those who attended. The springs are set back off the highway and next to the river at the mouth of the canyon. They average about 135 F. “It’s a fresh and cleansing experience to soak in them for a good half hour and then jump in the cold running water and to let all your troubles wash away” said Lauren Holman. Everyone reported sleeping better and more soundly afterwards. “You can’t get any better to the living earth than having her minerals and salts wash over you straight from the source” said SLPS President Daniel Cureton.
Posted in magic, Other, wicca | Tagged baptism, new moon magic, New Moon Ritual August 2013, ogden canyon hot springs, ogden ut, river magic, voodoo | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to all who came and attended Lughnasadh on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 6pm. The sabbat kicked off with the usual preparations of cleaning the temple site, pine cone and doggie poo sweeps, and set up. A pre ritual crafting activity took place with several society members making Corn Mothers. At this time of harvest of the grains, corn or maize as it was known in South America, was the sustaining grain for the peoples there. The Corn Mother was believed to be the responsible for production and care of her peoples through providing corn. Since this is a crop Lughnasadh, it was appropriate to make and decorate them to her and to Lugh.
The ritual began with the usual open rites and cleansing rituals. A few special items decorated the altar including a Lughnasadh corn designed table cloth made by April Love, a corn chalice, a black phallus candle, and the crowning center item a Lugh painting of Lugh lying against a hill side with an erect uncut phallus of acrylic on canvas done by Kurt Shoopman in Kentucky. Other items included seasonal flowers, branches, penis bread, and the first fruits of the harvest. Lugh and his consort Cernunnos spoke to the guests. Afterwards people enjoyed special cheese and chive penis bread made by April Love and said what they were grateful for at this time of thanksgiving. President Daniel Cureton performed a druid rite to Sul, after which he performed Celtic reels on the violin, honoring Lugh, Cernunnos, and Sul. Other offerings, libations, and blessing were performed by the society members including a blessing of a Ganesh painting and a wood burned Ingvas. Iyata Bond blessed everyone with a Lughnasadh oil made by her for the occasion.
The feasting included an organic blueberry cobbler made by Cheyanne Opheiknes, roasted vegetables and hamburgers. All in all, a wonderful time!
Posted in druidry, magic, Pagan, wicca, witchcraft | Tagged blueberry cobbler, Celtic reel, ceremony, corn dolly, lammas 2013, Lugh, Lughnasadh 2013, Penis bread | Leave a Comment »
It has been decided… the Salt Lake Pagan Society will be meeting at Cafe Solstice inside Dancing Cranes Imports. After several weeks of searching for a new meeting place, Cafe Solstice came out triumphant. “With being a new age place, good food, prices, friend staff and the soon opening 700 E trolley line from TRAX, this was the ideal location. And with the addition of Dancing Cranes inside, it makes it easy to pick up supplies on a weekly basis” said President Daniel Cureton. Come join us the starting on the second Sunday in August (August 11th) after Lughnasadh at our new location!
Posted in Other | Tagged Cafe Solstice salt lake, Dancing Cranes Imports, TRAX, Witches' Tea | Leave a Comment »
The Wheel has turned and Lughnasadh is upon us! The festival of Lugh, also known as Lammas, is a time to honor the Tuatha De Danann Warrior known as “Long Arm Lugh”. A Cetlic Sun God, the first harvest come into fruition and storage now. The traditional offerings are the first loafs of bread made from the first harvest. Corn mothers, bread, grains and phalluses are all appropriate iconography for Lughnasadh. This is also the Thanksgiving Holiday, when each person give thanks for the things and blessings in their lives. The center piece and other decorations will feature full nudity of Lugh and phallus candles. Join with us for Lughnasadh! You must come to Witches’ Tea for an invitation.
When: Saturday, August 3, 2013 6pm
Where: Daniel Cureton’s House 801 709 4632
(Flyer by Sergey Khrushchev)
Posted in druidry, Pagan, Ritual, Sabbat, wicca, witchcraft | Tagged bread loaf, celtic, lammas 2013, lughnasadh, Lughnasadh 2013, Sun, Thanksgiving | Leave a Comment »
Witches’ Tea for Sunday, July 21, 2013 will be held at Cafe on 1st, in Downtown SLC. Please join us in our search for a new home as we try different business. Tea will be at 11am as usual. The Cafe is located 39 I St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.
Posted in Other | Tagged cafe on 1st salt lake, Witches' Tea | Leave a Comment »
Salt Lake Pagan Society 