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4th Annual Moab Pride Festival 2015 An Exciting Adventure

Posted in esbat, LGBT, Ritual, Tarot, Vending, tagged Arches National Park, Balanced Rock, Colorado River, Courthouse, Delicate Arch, desert magic, Double Art, Eclipse, Equaity Utah, Grand County Library, Grand County School District, Hiking, Human Rights Campaign, Kali Ma, La Hacienda, LGBT, Love Muffin Cafe, Milky Way, Moab, Moab Diner, Moab Pride 2015, Moab UT, Moab Valley Multicultural Center, Mormon's Building Bridges, National Forest Service, Native American Student Club, nature, Navajo Tacos, Nefertiti's Headdress, Obatala, Ochun, Oshun, palmistry, Petrified Sand Dunes, Price UT, QSaltLake, Quesadilla Mobilla, Quesadillas, Rio, river magic, skyline arch, Supermoon, Supermoon Eclipse, Swanny City Park, tarot reading, Tostadas, Trevor Project, Two Spirit, utah, visibility march, Window Arch, wolfe ranch on September 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

What a wonderful adventure! The excitement keeps on coming at every turn. SLPS had a terrific weekend attending the 4th Annual Moab Pride Festival Saturday and Sunday September 26-27, 2015. The group drove down Friday evening, staying at the Days Inn motel. After a mix up with only one king sized bed for three people, the readers finally got some rest for the big day in the morning. No time for the the Pre-Pride Party at the Rio bar that the pride crowds were attending.

Saturday morning September 26, breakfast was at the local Moab Diner, but due to the tourists, had to be taken to go. The festival started at 10:30 at Swanny City Park. The vendor booths were placed in a semi-circle around the stage in the park. Various vendors included Equality Utah, Human Rights Campaign, The National Forest Service, The Grand County Library, and the Trevor Project.

A visibility march took place at 11:30 am, marching a few blocks east, south, then west before circling back around to the park. Groups such as Utah Naturalists, Mormons Building Bridges, the Moab Valley Multicultural Center and the local fire department participated with their fire engine bringing up the rear.

The day was very hot, upwards of 95 degrees F. Various bands performed through the day, with drag shows scattered throughout the programming. SLPS’ booths was busy, bringing in many customers who had never had a reading. The Native American Club from Grand County School District sold Navajo tacos. The Moab Valley Multicultural Center sold tostadas, and the mobile vendor Quesadilla Mobilla sold various quesadillas.

Dinner was at the local restaurant La Hacienda. Enchiladas were in order, with shrimp and chicken. The guacamole had to be spiced up somewhat with pepper sauce, but the food was pretty good overall. The staff continued to check on us throughout the dinning experience and even gave us tips about the parks in the area.

The Pride after party was held at the Rio, same place as the Pre-Pride party next door to the park. Door fee was $15, which went to help fund the local youth center. Filled with Pride attendees, people drank, partied, and danced the warm night away.

Since SLPS was so successful, we decided to stay another night. Because of the trouble the night before, Days Inn gave us a discounted room, with two beds this time! Sunday morning, September 27 brought a chance to do some shopping and eat breakfast at Love Muffin Cafe, reinvesting the money from the community back into the local economy. The Love Muffin Cafe turned out to be the spot where all the hung over Post-Pride Parties came to get their fill of breakfast burritos, coffee, and muffins.

SLPS headed over to the mighty Colorado river to performing a morning ritual. After meditating and collecting some special water, a trip to Arches National Park was in order. The $10 fee was a good price to spend a day hiking and viewing sacred nature!

With many pictures, selfies, and group shots, SLPS did the whole circuit. Balanced rock, Double Arch, Skyline Arch, and Window Arch before heading off to hike to the famous Delicate Arch which is on the Utah license plates. The hike was arduous, in the heat of the day, with a difficult trail up a 45 degree slickrock face and uneven terrain, little shade was in sight, but the members of SLPS completed the trail in 2 1/2 hours with the help of a Venezuelan family after running out of water. We spent some time at the arch and headed back down the mainly descending trail. A drive back to Moab for water, food, and gas came as a relief.

Sucking down a gallon of water and eating pulled pork from Wendy’s, SLPS got back on the road for the return trip to Salt Lake City. The sun set over the western desert, illuminating the red rock, and we watched the supermoon eclipse on highway 6 outside of Price, UT. We pulled over to perform some quick eclipse full moon magic and take in the stunning view of the Milky Way Galaxy that can be seen in the wild desert away from the city lights.

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton arrived in Moab at 2am, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, l to r: Ashton Longhurst, Lauren Holman, Daniel Cureton having to share a king bed, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, breatkfast at Moab Diner, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, view from Moab Diner of a Mesa looking south west, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Moab Valley Cultural Center in visibility march, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, visibility march at main street and 100 N, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, visibility march heading west, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

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Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton and Mormons Building Bridges in visibility march, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, visibility march with Utah Naturalists in purple roabs, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, rainbow flag in visibility march, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, pride banner, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, SLPS booth with Ashton Longhurst, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, National Forest Service, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, vendor booths, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, vendor booths, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, vendor booths, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, vendor booths, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, vendor booths in a half circle, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, stage, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Quesadilla Mobila food vendor, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Native American Club of Grand County School District, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, L to r: Lauren Holman, Ashton Longhurst, Daniel Cureton, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Kali Ma, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, view of the festival looking west, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, stage from wine and beer area, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, attendees listening to music, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Swanny City Park, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, after pride dinner- shrimp enchiladas at La Hacienda, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, after price dinner-restaurant menu, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, moonbeam flowers outside of La Hacienda, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Pride after party- electric car charging station at Best Western, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Pride after party at the Rio, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, dancers at the Pride after party, Saturday, September 26, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, the long motel corridor at Days Inn, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, view from Days Inn- Mesa looking south weset, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, the Days Inn, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Love Muffin Cafe, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, La Poutine breakfeast the Love Muffin Cafe (potatoes, sausage gravy, two eggs, bacon, blue cheese, pico), Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, the mighty Colorado River, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton at the Colorado River, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, l to r: Daniel Cureton, Ashton Longhurst, Lauren Holman at the Colorado River, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Sunrise Ritual at the Colorado River, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, entrance to Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park- La Sal moutain range in back, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Petrified Sand Dunes sign, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Petrified Dunes with Le Sal Moutan Range in back, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton with cigar, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Balanced Rock info, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton at Balanced rock, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton balacing Balanced rock, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, balanced rocks at Balanced rock, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Lauren Holman, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Skyline Arch info,Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, sign, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, sign for trail, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton at Skyline Arch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Double Arch trail passes, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, formation along Double Arch trail, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Double Arch trail, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton on Double Arch trail, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Queen Nefertiti Rock, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Courthouse, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Wolfe Ranch InfoArches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch info, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Wolfe Ranch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Wolfe Ranch house, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail river, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail dried river bed, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Petroglyphs trail, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Petroglyphs, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail with Lauren Holman, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail slickrock face, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail slickrock, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail slickrock climb, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail mesas, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail rock strata, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch trail rock layers,, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, bird perched at Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton at Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

Moab Pride 2015, Daniel Cureton (l) and Lauren Holman at Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Sunday, September 27, 2015, Moab, Utah

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Magical Ingreident Gathering 2015- Mabon Crafting Smudge Sticks

Posted in crafting, nature trips, tagged artemisia tridentata, Big Cottonwood Canyon, juniper, Magical ingredients, mullein leaf, sage brush, smudge stick, utah on September 23, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Each fall brings many opportunities to craft! Magical crafting is one of our favorite activities at SLPS. Each year SLPS gathers sacred sagebrush to make smudge sticks, magical wands, and other crafts with. This year SLPS gathered on the fall equinox, Mabon on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. A little known spot in Big Cottonwood Canyon contains all the sage needed to make smudge sticks for years to come! The little leafed Artemisia Tridentata in Utah is a different variety than the broad leafed of California found in most shops. The little leafed grows all over the North American West. This small leafed kind is even more powerful than the broader leaf, and smells sweeter. Having gathered it ourselves, SLPS can charge the sticks with love, protection, and power.

Magical Ingredient Gathering 2015, Mabon Sage Smudge Sticks, sagebrush, Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

Magical Ingredient Gathering 2015, Mabon Sage Smudge Sticks, Tanya Thorton (l) and Lauren Holman, Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

Magical Ingredient Gathering 2015, Mabon Sage Smudge Sticks, April Love, Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

Magical Ingredient Gathering 2015, Mabon Sage Smudge Sticks, Daniel Cureton, Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

Magical Ingredient Gathering 2015, Mabon Sage Smudge Sticks, rolling smudge sticks with juniper and mullein, Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT

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SLPS Supports Religious Diversity, Attends Carmelite Fair 2015

Posted in diversity, Other, religion, tagged Carmelite festival 2015, Carmelite Monastery, Carmelite SLC, Catholica, festivals, gardens, Holladay, Nuns, Saint Guadalupe, Salt Lake Pagan Society, SLC, Swarvoksi, utah, Virgin Mary on September 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Sometimes the good ole church fair is in full swing and you gotta check out the goods. SLPS attended the Annual Carmelite fair, put on by the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery in Holladay, UT on Sunday, September 20, 2015.

The fair was full of goods, food, music, and beer. The monastery and grounds are set back and hidden off of Holladay Blvd. Parking was slim, but a brisk walk along the Blvd provided a good pep for the SLPS members. The grounds were serene and beautiful, with gardens and a large statue of Our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary.

The festival had about 4,000 attendees eating, shopping, and listening to the live music. The entry was free, but “Carmelite Cash” was required to purchase items (converted at a cash booth). SLPS browsed the religious good and textiles and picked up a wall plaque of the Holy Mother Virgin Mary, a Swarovski crystal rosary, and a print of Our Lady Saint Guadalupe, adding to the eclectic temple space.

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, sign, Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, general store, Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, crowds and Ashton Longhurst (right green) and Lauren Holman (right white) Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT —

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, caremlite cafeteria, Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, live band with monastery in back right, Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Carmelite Monastery Fair 2015, Mary garden statue, Sunday, September 20, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

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Dark Arts Festival 2015

Posted in Other, Tarot, Vending, tagged Area 51, Dark Arts Festival, Dark Arts Festival 2015, festivals, palm reading, salt lake city, tarot reading, utah on September 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

If you’re into the Goth scene or industrial music, stop by our booth at the Dark Arts Festival at Area 51 in Salt Lake City for a $10 tarot, palm or voodoo bone reading!

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Society Garden Harvests Upcoming with 1st Harvest Holiday of the Year-Lughnasadh

Posted in garden, Other, tagged fruits, garden 2015, gardening, Late summer 2015, lughnasadh, Salt Lake Pagan Society, SLC, Society garden, utah, vegetables, watermelon on August 1, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The society garden has grown remarkable well! The land has been bountiful and fertile. August is expected to bring bountiful harvests, just in time for Lughnasadh, the firs great harvest time of the year.

July has provided much sun and heat for considerable growth. Here is an update as to the state of the garden. Many fruits and vegetables are near ripping and will be ready for pickin in the dogs days of August. Gaia has blessed us this year to grow organically from our own hands and to promote the real Earth working. Getting back to our ancestors of agriculture, the simple joys of growing and feeling the soil in your hands as you care for these creatures. This is the real meaning of Paganism. These shots are from July 2015.

Society Garden 2015, l to r: corn, peppers, and tomatoes, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, watermelon, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, main garden area, l to r: corn, cucumbers, dill, cabbage, cantaloupe, butternut squash, collard greens, green onion, St. Francis and grape vine, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: corn, tomato, tomatillo, cucumber, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: corn, tomato, tomatillo, cucumber, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: tomatoes, peppers, corn, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, collard greens, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT —

Society Garden 2015, l to r : cucmber, dill, butternut squash, cantaloupe, cabbage, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: tomatillo, corn, yellow squash, cucumber, dill, butternut squash, Friday, July 10, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, yellow watermelon, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l tor : corn, cucumber, cantaloupe, butternut squash, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, watermelon patch, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: tomatillo, corn, yellow squash, cucumber, dill, cabbage, cantaloupe, butternut squash, collard greens, St. Francis, green onion, grapeThursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: cantaloupe, green onion, St. Francis, Grape, collard greens, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: corn, cucumber, dill, cantaloupe, butternut squash, cabbage, collard greens, green onion, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT —

Society Garden 2015, l to r: tomato, blue berry bush, tomatillo, corn, yellow squash, cucumber, dill, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: corn, beans, peppers, tomato,Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, peppers (l) and tomatoes, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, corn, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: peppers, corn, peppers, tomatoes, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, beans around corn stalk, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, bell pepper, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Society Garden 2015, l to r: herbs- oregano, cilantro, parsley, Thursday, July 24, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

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Utah Pride Festival 2015 An Outstanding Success!

Posted in Other, Tarot, Vending, tagged festivals, LGBT, Mermaids, pride, psychic readings, Salt Lake Pagan Society, sikhs, SLC Living, tarot, utah, Utah Pride Festival 2015 on June 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

SLPS had an amazing time at the 2015 Utah Pride Festival June 4-7, 2015. The Society got in gear by changing up its logos for Pride month, celebrating the diversity of all individuals. Some new swag with the new rainbow logo got the members in the mood and excited about reading tarot and palm at the festival.

Saturday, June 6, 2015, brought the opening at 3pm. A steady line of folks popping in to take advantage of the $10 readings and free buttons and books wasn’t deterred by the heavy but brief storm and hail that passed over the festivities around 5pm. The Merqueen Lei Loni Tilley from the Mermaid of the Great Salt Lake was seen in full tail giving mermaid readings at the booth and around the festival grounds at the fountains.

Sunday, June 7, 2015 SLPS paraded down 200 S with the interfaith section of the parade in front of the big rainbow flag. Sikhs were spotted at the begging the route at 400 E and 200 S, offering “Take a pic with a Sikh”and free Pepsi drinks. With cheers and kisses and hearts overflowing, the crowd was overjoyed to see Pagans and mermaids taking up the rear. President Daniel Cureton, in rainbow robe and pointy hat (made for him for the 2014 festival by April Love), was so liked by the crowd, he yelled to the people “I’m the wizard at the end of the rainbow!”. Back at the festival after the parade, members sported the new pride shirts. Swells of people descended on the booth, asked for information on Paganism and took all the free books Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by River and Joyce Higginbotham on the information table. adorned with Herne, being given away by SLPS (much like free Bibles). A few skeptics rolled by, but they were dragged in and converted to believers!

This year was its best year yet for SLPS! Many people took away needed spiritual advice, friendship, love and magic after each reading. Many expressed their gratitude to having the Pagan presence and knowing that there are Pagans who believe in LGBT rights, equality, equity, and fairness for all peoples.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Utah Pride Festival 2015, SLPS booth April Love (l) and Tanya Thorton, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, SLPS booth l to r: Nikki Pitt, Ashton Longhurst and the mermaid Leil Loni Tilley of the Meraids of the Great Salt Lake, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, l to r Ashton Longhurst (glasses), Chris Newhart (standing) and April Love (wizard hat), Tanya Thortin, Jackie Lit, and a client, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, view from the booth of the festival looking east to the City Building, Mermaid Queen Lei Loni Tilley of the Meriads of the Great Salt Lake (l) and Nikki Pitt, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, lineup, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, unrolling of flag 400 E 400 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Pride Pipers 400 E 400 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, SLPS lined up to march with the interfaith section, l to r Nikki Pitt, Mermaid Lei Loni Tilely of the Mermadis of the Great Salt Lake, Ashton Longhurst, April Love, and Daniel Cureton, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Daniel Cureton, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, “Take a pic with a Sikh” along parade route 400 E and 200 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, protestors along 200 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, parade and crowd, looking west on 300 E and 200 S Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Grannies for Gays riding in cars in front of flag, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, festival attendees in the south east quadrant, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Daniel Cureton (black hat), giving a reading, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT

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New Society Garden Planted

Posted in garden, Other, tagged anaheim, bell peppers, blue berries, butternut squash, cantaloupes, cilantro, collard greens, Corn, cucumbers, dill, gardening, grapes, green living, jalapeno, onions, oregano, salt lake city, Salt Lake Pagan Society, society garden 2015, sustainability, tabasco, tomatillo, tomatoes, utah, vegetables, watermelon, yellow squash on June 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Blessed Be the Good Earth Mother and all her fertile soil. The new society garden has been planted and blessed this past week of May 24-31, 2015. Daniel Cureton, Ashton Longhurst, April Love, and Gwen Allen with the house dog Freyja worked hard over the last week to weed, turn the soil for roots, add manure, plant the crop and water the garden. “It was back breaking work. Most of it was the weeding with hoes and turning the soil with the cultivating forks, that took the whole week.” Said Ashton Longhurst. Gwen Allen commented “my African blood was pumping strong. We were out there working like slaves! Real strong, I was feelin akin to the brothas and sistas from home in the Deep South workin the plantations”

The planting on Sunday morning went quickly and easily after the hard work was done. It was done over night and in the early morning hours so that the society members wouldn’t be bothered by the bees. All included are: bell, Anaheim, Tabasco and jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, tomatillo, corn, oregano, cilantro, parsley, butternut squash, yellow squash, cucumbers, Georgia collard greens, cantaloupe, watermelon, a blue berry bush and a grape vine. President Daniel Cureton gave a druid blessings on the land “May the fire of life Nwyfre come up at this point and give life and fertility to everything present.”

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Report-Local Lesbian Bar, Paper Moon, CLOSED

Posted in Other, tagged closure, dykes, gay and lesbian, Gaybars, Lesbian bars, Night Life, Salt, salt lake city, slcnightlife, The Paper Moon, utah, Utah Living on May 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Sad news to report, one of the local gay bars of South Salt Lake, The Paper Moon, located on 3737 S State, closed its doors this past December 2014. SLPS was informed about its closure in April 2015, which appeared to be quiet and unnoticed in the community. Its website, thepapermoonclub.com says “This webpage is not available”, but there is still a Facebook page. Yelp, a popular customer venue rating site like Urban Spoon and Angie’s List, also reports of its closure. As the only lesbian bar in Salt Lake City and the only gay bar located out of the downtown area, this is a great loss to the culture and night life of the LGBT community.

It opened in 1994, as indicated on their sign when they closed, which read “Thanks SLC for 20 Dyketastic Years.” Lauren Holman remembers being there and commented “It was a good place, good music, drinks, and a sizable dance floor, pool area, and patio. They didn’t like drinks on the floor, cover was $7. Overall was a fun place, especially for all the lesbians.”

The Paper Moon will be missed, SLPS hopes that the remaining exclusive gay bars, Tryangles, The Sun Trapp, and JAM will be able to be a safe place for all our lesbian friends. Long Live The Paper Moon

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Beltane 2015

Posted in Pagan, Ritual, Sabbat, wicca, witchcraft, tagged beltane, Beltane 2015, Queer, Queery Mysteries, salt lake city, Salt Lake Pagan Society, Spaghetti, utah, Wedding, wine on May 4, 2015| 4 Comments »

The Goddess and God united in love and became one for the day! The Great Day of Beltane, when the God and Goddess come together for their wedding ceremony and to make new life that will be born at Yule. The ceremony was held outside on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2015 at 3pm. The altar was decorated with Celtic knot work items and plaques of the Goddess and God and of the God and God for Queer mysteries. A lesson on the meaning and origin of Beltane took place, and the offerings were white wine and strawberry short cake. The feastings later in the evening were Italian sausage spaghetti, green salad, and garlic bread with red wine.