| 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.
Book of Shadows "swap party."
19.
Song & chant swap: Bring tape recorders and CDs!
20.
Shamanic trance techniques.
21.
Videos: Rent a video that has a Pagan theme. Discussion follows.
22.
Myths: 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 magickal 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.
Lunar magick: Full Moon and/or New Moon rituals.
31. Mystery
Circles: Men's and Women's mysteries taught and celebrated.
32.
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.
|
