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1.
Introductory meeting (repeat as necessary): "How I came to
be here, and where I wish to go." (Begin with song, "Sequoia
Sempervirons.")
2. Ethics vs.morals:
If you don't believe in a judging deity, or heaven and hell, what
makes you be an ethical person? Issues of freedom and responsibility.
3. Ethics of Spell
casting: Love spells; weather working; protection, etc.. Manipulative
magic?
4. Bardic Circle:
everyone bring songs and/or poetry to share in turn.
5. Pagan parenting:
Bringing up our kids to make a free and informed choice of religion;
fun and seasonal activities; children blowing our covers; cowan
relatives and co-parents. How can we pass on our values? The ethics
and politics of teaching children, especially kids of non Pagans.
6. Reincarnation:
Types of reincarnation from different cultures; transmigration
to different species; the ecological view of "material animism."
Soul survival: intact, fragmented, or no personal soul at all.
Ethnic identities. Experiences with the dying and the dead.
7. New mythologies:
Science fiction & fantasy. Movies, comics, music, art.
8. Building Pagan
communities: Urban? Rural? How to maximize the feeling of community
and individual choice in lifestyle? Business, living arrangements,
aesthetics.
9. Paganism &
Druidism: In and out of the broom closet. Handling spirituality
at work and with relatives. Sharing experiences.
10. Sacrifice &
the seasonal round: Is the continual reenactment of the yearly
sacrifice a viable mythic model for us? What mythological alternatives
might we consider? How about seasonal celebrations in differing
climatic zones, or different hemispheres?
11. Sexual polarities:
The metaphysics of sex and heterosexism. What would gay or straight
or bisexual magic be like? Do the different rhythms of the year
call for different sexualities? Theories of love and magnetism,
erotic and mystic ecstasy, eternal love. Sexuality, polarity,
androgyny.
12. Sexuality &
Relationships: Open relationships; monogamy vs. polyamory. Different
models; polyfidelity. Dealing with jealousy. Rules for inclusive
relationships.
13. Living a nature
religion in an urban/technological world: Gremlins and machines;
recycling; deep ecology; seasonal awareness in an urbanized setting;
worshipping the moon through glass!
14. Magic &
money: Our relationship to having and to generosity. How we relate
to prosperity and how we manifest it.
15. Druids &
community responsibility: The burnout cycle and group motivation.
Resistance to our visions; how to change the world if we can't
get ourselves moving? Varieties of Pagan experience, from itinerant
partier to persons motivated by strong political or ethical principles.
16. Druidism &
politics: Druish response to anti-choice lobby, anti-Satanic hysteria,
environmentalism, etc. Preparing position statements, letter-writing
campaigns, petitions, etc.
17. Skills exchange
on a variety of topics: massage, Tarot, geomancy, dowsing, astrology,
divination, Reiki, etc.
18. Book of Shadows
"swap party."
19. Song & chant
swap (bring tape recorders!)
20. Shamanic trance
techniques.
21. Videos. Rent
a video that has a Pagan theme. Discussion follows.
22. Relationship
of myth to reality.
23. Purpose of existence:
Who are we? Where are we going? How will we get there? Personal
salvation/ enlightenment vs. larger mission...
24. Practicing magical
techniques: Sensing auras, using pendulums, dowsing, etc. Survey
of divination methods.
25. Guest lecturers:
Invite presentations from individual group members or outside
sources.
26. Book study &
discussion. Select a book from the Basic
Bibliography or other; everybody read it and discuss at next
meeting.
27. Comparative
religions: Invite representatives from different religions to
present their views to Grove; then have the Grove attend their
next services.
28. Special events:
Sponsoring and participating in public events; debriefings from
distant journeys to attend Pagan Festivals, magical mystery tours,
etc..
29. Group outings:
Picnics, camp outs, dinners, movies. trips to sacred sites, such
as hot springs, the ocean, mountains, caves, etc.
30. Full Moon and/or
New Moon rituals.
31. Men's and Women's
Mystery Circles.
32. Pirate Parties
or other special theme costume parties.
Don't
forget to pass around Sign-Up sheet for new people. Decide next
meetings: dates, places and topics. Potluck dinner or munchies?
Prepare a calendar of events. Arrange to contact absent members
by phone or letter.
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