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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, "Avalon
is Risen." (offlist)
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 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. Song & chant swap:
Bring tape recorders and CDs!
19. Shamanic
trance techniques.
20. Videos:
Rent a video that has a Pagan theme.
Discussion follows.
21. Myths: Relationship
of myth to reality.
22. Purpose of existence:
Who are we? Where are we going? How will we
get there? Personal salvation/ enlightenment vs. larger mission...
23. Practicing magickal techniques:
Sensing auras, using pendulums, dowsing, etc.
Survey of divination methods.
24. Guest lecturers:
Invite presentations from individual group
members or outside sources.
25. Book study & discussion:
Select a book from the Basic
Bibliography or other; everybody read it and discuss at next
meeting.
26. Comparative religions: Invite
representatives from different religions to present their views
to Grove; then have the Grove attend their next services.
27. Special events:
Sponsoring and participating in public
events; debriefings from distant journeys to attend Pagan Festivals,
magical mystery tours, etc...
28. Group outings:
Picnics, camp outs, dinners, movies. trips
to sacred sites, such as hot springs, the ocean, mountains, caves,
etc.
29. Lunar magick:
Full Moon and/or New Moon rituals.
30. Mystery
Circles:
Men's and Women's mysteries taught and celebrated.
31. Pirate Parties:
Or other special theme costume parties.
Remember
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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