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Kindred Paths Closes its Doors

Beloved business, Kindred Paths, has filed for bankruptcy as of January 11, 2012. Once known as Spell Bound off of 14th S. and Highland Dr., the shop had to move to its location on 3800 S. and Highland Dr. due to the bank selling the building. The move meant getting out in a hurry August 2010 to comply with the new owners, who later tore down the old structure to build a new apartment tower on the site.
Kindred Paths was able to find a new home in a strip mall just off 3900 S. The move though lost many customers. This happens with any move, people think the shop closed. In the following year and a half, some old folks returned and found the shop again, but this business, as well as the down side of the new location being more a “destination location,” was not enough to keep Nighttree, owner of the shop, afloat.
Some of the community members even came together to host fundraising parties for the store. Willow Tilley, a local psychic, did monthly parties with must and events to encourage business.
President Muad’Dib talks about his experience going to the shop “I found Spell Bound in September 2008 while living in Provo. I stopped by one time while in Salt Lake and met Steve Turner, aka Nighttree. I was freshly Pagan, and interested in joining his druid clan Skyclad. The shop was still over on 14th S. I went to the new location as I knew he had moved. I visited frequently, spending lots of time talking to Steve, shopping, and even did a few classes there. I also attended classes by Steve, such as his Ogham meditations and rituals by Horus Oasis O.T.O.
Steve was always trying to find ways to bring in business. It’s so sad we have to loose a great part of the Pagan community.”
SLPS went and bought as many items as it could on budget to lessen the bankruptcy. Muad’Dib picked up the Medieval Cat Tarot, a bookcase, and Steve’s old round oak table that sat in the shop.

UUPS had the great opportunity to table at spring term’s Plaza Fest at the U of U on January 11, 2012. Daniel Cureton and UUPS adviser April Love gave away pamphlets, talked with students and had a general old pagan time while letting others know there is a safe, inclusive environment where all can come who are seeking or interested in alternative earth based spiritualities.

Once again Luna has gained in light and is full and bright smiling upon us. Mother moon is reaching out and calling for us to worship and stand in her light. UUPS met this month and honored the moon, working magic rites, renewing themselves, cleansing objects and charging stones with energy. Photos below!

Yule 2011 Celebration and Feast

Thanks to all who came and participated in the first Yule celebration and feast by UUPS on Sunday, December 18, 2011.

The Yule altar was decorated with lots of tea light candles, votive candles, quarter candles, wreathes, spruce, holly and other seasonal plants. The God and Goddess statue with them in union (below second) was hauled out for use for this holiday as Yule is about the birthing of the God from the Goddess, his mother, queen, consort, wife and lover.

After generous praise and preparation, the Goddess went into labor right there in the temple and gave birth to the God. He greeted everyone with a loving arms carrying a message for each person to hear. Gifts, hails, praise and gratitude were given to the God this night as all kneeled in acknowledgement of his divine grace and power.

Toasting and praise to other deities ensued before closing. The roars, laughter and praise broke out especially after Baccas invoked with wine! All in all, UUPS had a wonderful time. The feasting was after and everyone ate their fill of holiday delectable!

Till we meet again at the Altar of Life!

Yule 2011 l to r- Mustard Seed, Callista Dreamwalker, Muad’Dib, Lunar Oak Spirit, and Fire Runner, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, L to r- Callista Dreamwalker as hand maiden, Lunar Oak Spirit as God, Fire Runner as Goddess, and Mustard Seed as hand maiden, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Muad’Dib as Ritual Leader, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, L to r-God Lunar Oak Spirit, Ritual Leader Muad’Dib, and Goddess Fire Runner, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Handmaidens Callista Dreamwalker (l) and Mustard Seed Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, God and Goddess Lunar Oak Spirit (l) and Fire Runner Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Altar Close up, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Altar, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Altar Center, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Shy Fox (l) and Woman Between the Wolves in circle Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Mustard Seed, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Lunar Oak Spirit, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Ember Fire Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Fire Runner, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Callista Dreamwalker (l) and Shy Fox Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011 Darla Darr (l) and Derika Jade Llemley Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, l to r- Shy Fox, Derika Jade Llemley and Mikael Short Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Derika Jade Llemley (l) and Mikael Short Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011 l to r- Mikael Short, Derika Jade, Woman Between the Wolves, Ember Fire, Shy Fox, Mustard Seed, Fire Runner, Callista Dreamwalker, Darla Darr, and Lunar Oak Spirit, Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Food for Feast Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Yule 2011, Feast Sunday, December 18, 2011, Salt Lake City, UT

Thanks to all who came and participated in the first Yule celebration and feast by UUPS. Last years was jointly held with WANDS of Westminster College.

President Cureton is seen left (below: top) with the Yule Cast. Lef to Right: Ryc Pellum, Callista Dreamwalker, Daniel Cureton, Sergey Khrushchev (CJ) and Sharon Pellum. All were dressed in robes and wreathed for their parts. Ryc and Callista were president Cureton’s helpers while CJ and Sharon played the part of God and Goddess.

The Yule altar was decorated with lots of tea light candles, votive candles, quarter candles, wreathes, spruce, holly and other seasonal plants. The God and Goddess statue with them in union (below second) was hauled out for use for this holiday as Yule is about the birthing of the God from the Goddess, his mother, queen, consort, wife and lover.

After generous praise and preparation, the Goddess went into labor right there in the temple and gave birth to the God. He greeted everyone with a loving arms carrying a message for each person to hear. Gifts, hails, praise and gratitude were given to the God this night as all kneeled in acknowledgement of his divine grace and power.

Toasting and praise to other deities ensued before closing. The roars, laughter and praise broke out especially after Baccas invoked with wine! All in all, UUPS had a wonderful time. The feasting was after and everyone ate their fill of holiday delectable!

Till we meet again at the Altar of Life!

Each month brings another opportunity to draw down the power of the dark moon. UUPS had a wonderful time celebrating the last new moon of 2011! As usual the ritual included spellworking and meditation by drum circle. Check out the photos!

Every month brings the renewed opportunity to call down the power of the full moon. This month brought a wonderful time for UUPS members to call on Luna and embrace Lord Ganesh to help them be empowered and overcome difficulties. During the full moon, members Laura and Ryc Pellum dueled over who would get to call on Lord Ganesh to help them in their magic.  All present could feel the helping hand of Lord Ganesh come down from above to overcome difficulties and accomplish their magical rites. The magic was pooled together by the members. UUPS can’t wait till next month to call down Lord Ganesh and work magic rites.

full moon 1

Full Moon Ritual Ganesh December 10, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT

full moon 2

Full Moon Ritual l to r-Laura Farsnworth, Callista Dreamwalker, Arrysa Pellum, December 10, 2011 Salt Lake City UT

full moon 3

Full Moon Ritual l to r-Laura Farnsworth, Callista Dreamwalker, Aryssa and Sharon Pellum, December 10, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT

USUPA Samhain 2011

Every couple of months UUPS has the esteemed opportunity to visit its sister group the Utah State University Pagan Alliance.

This trip came around one of the most favored of all holidays for most pagans: Samhain! A time to honor the dead and set goals for the Pagan New Year.

Each year, USUPA puts on a big ritual at the local Unitarian Universalist Church in Logan Utah. Complete with food, fun, wine and ritual, this is the best Samhain North of Salt Lake City!

UUPS got the ritual outline, food for the potluck, robes and staffs and heads north (carpooling of course) to just south of Potato country.

This time, UUPS arrived in mass carrying its share of pagans and food…always a good combination.

Tickets were $5.00 before and $10.00 at the door. The ritual started promptly at 8:00pm. A beautiful circle of leaves, with a portable fire pit and altar in the west was set up outside behind the UU church under a clear night with the moon shining brightly down upon everyone through the leaves of the autumn trees.

Each participant was led to the west gate were they were cleansed and consecrated with sage and water before entering the circle. Making a circle clockwise, the participants lined up in a circle with nearly seventy people squeezing in.

Four helpers stood in the quarters invoking, blessing and dismissing with the elementals. Kassie lead the ritual with a poem reading, raising and dismissing the collective energy in the circle with great efficiency and her big sword, shouting to the Gods, Goddesses and ancestors before falling to the earth. The fire was dimmed and everyone was given a few moments to reflect on life, their dead, and goals to be set for the New Year. At this point, all were given slivers of wood to be thrown into the Samhain fire, signifying a renewal of goals or the setting thereof. Each person said aloud what they desired to do, change or work in their life in the coming year from having a cat to obeying what the Gods and Goddesses tell them.

Many tears flowed as hearts became soft and the participants reflected on their lives.

Afterwards, all were treated to a wonderful feast of stew and other sides that were brought such as swamp muck (guacamole), shriveled heads (backed pears) and love potion no 9. (grape juice with cinnamon and spices). All in all, UUPS can’t wait to go again! Thanks USUPA!

The members of UUPS gathered on November 19, 2011 at 8pm to celebrate the return the dark moon. The ritual began as usual with the welcoming of the dark moon and moved into the drum circle and meditation. There were reports during the drumming of ancestors singing and dancing around the circle.

After the meditations the offerings of wine and cookies were given in gratitude to Luna for another month of blessings, work, solace and guidance in the coming month as she waxes full to the full moon power. Check out the photo below!

New Moon Ritual Ashton Longhurst (l) and Callista Dreamwalker November 19, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT

Once again with the coming of the end of October we have a chance to really push ourselves in the time when the guards of most people come down for Halloween. Now is the best time to let that Pagan Pride show! Check out the event schedule to see what we’ll be doing for Pagan Awareness Week this October 24-31 2011. Among activities will be a new moon ritual and the Live showing of Rocky Horror!~! See you all there!