August Events with Frederick CUUPS

For the duration of Social Distancing due to Coronavirus, all Frederick CUUPS offerings are moving online!  As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to impact our ability to gather in person, we are offering a dense programming schedule for the summer months. This situation is challenging, scary and unpredictable, but we do not need to walk through this upheaval alone. If you have an internet connection, or even just a phone, you can stay connected to community.

We are hosting a minimum of two gatherings each week. All online gatherings welcome donations but do not require them. What we most wish is to keep each other connected, safe, sane, and loved during this time. Please feel free to attend any or all of our offerings whether you can make a donation or not.

All our offerings are open to everyone, not just members of the Frederick CUUPS community. All times listed are in Eastern.

We are using Zoom, a video conferencing platform.

Single Date Events/Short Series:

Frederick CUUPS Online-Only Lughnasadh Ritual
Saturday, August 1st, 7 PM
Join Frederick CUUPS for an open, family-friendly Lughnasadh Ritual! At this time, we joyously celebrate the abundant harvest and make an offering to the land, the sun, and the spirits.

For this ritual, you will need:

~a piece of food you can cut or break, or separate a piece of, and a knife if you need one to cut the food.
~We recommend bread, or a small bowl of berries, for the symbolism, but it can be anything so long as you can take part away from the whole.
~A comfortable space for visualization

We will be using Zoom, a video conferencing platform, to celebrate together. YOU NEED TO BE LOGGED INTO YOUR ZOOM ACCOUNT TO JOIN THE MEETING. Accounts are free and take only a couple minutes to set up. If you do not have stable internet connectivity in your area, using the call-in function for audio only can be more accessible. Facebook Event. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84122157468

 

Full Moon Divination Circle
Monday, August 3rd, 7 pm

Join Heather and the Frederick CUUPS Community on Full Moon nights at 7 PM Eastern for a Divination Circle! This facilitated open discussion circle is an opportunity for the FCUUPS community to meet up and exchange ideas and techniques surrounding the different types of divination we all use.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/725120178271227/
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link.

 

Introduction to Hellenic Polytheism
Tuesday, July 28th, 7 PM
Wednesday, August 5th, 7 PM

Join Suz and members of the Frederick CUUPS community for a fun and informative trip through ancient Greece to meet the Gods who inspired some of mankind’s greatest myths, and explore your own traditional or utterly eclectic method of meeting and worshipping them.
Facebook event
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link

 

Earth Centered Spirituality Service
Sunday, August 9th, 12 PM

The monthly Earth Service provides an opportunity to focus on the Sixth Source of Unitarian Universalism: “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.” This month’s Earth Service is led by Raven and will focus on creating Corn Dollies. Please have ready:

EITHER:
Corn dolly supplies:
Dried corn husks (tamales wrappers)
thread or string (in warm seasonal colors if you like)
scissors
a large bowl of water (for soaking the wrappers)
a dish towel or paper towels (for drying the wrappers)

OR:
Paper ‘Corn’ dolly option:
Paper cut into strips length wise ( about 4-5)
string or yarn (in seasonal colors if you choose)
scissors

Facebook link. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88577366199

 

From Hearth to Hall: Heathen Practices for the Everyday
Wednesday, August 12th, 7 PM

Join Chris of Elk Ridge Kindred and members of Frederick CUUPS on Wednesday, August 12th, at 7 PM Eastern for a workshop on everyday Heathenry.

This class will demonstrate foundations for building a daily practice as a Heathen. We will cover personal solitary practices, Hearth practices for the home, starting or joining a group, and some common ritual forms used in Heathenry.

This class will be presented on Zoom. Please email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link. Facebook event here.

 

Dark Moon Mourning and Passageway Ritual
Tuesday, August 18th, 7 PM

Join Suz Thackston and members of the Frederick CUUPS community in a Dark Moon ritual to honor the souls lost to COVID-19, the grief of those who remain, and support the transition of the newly dead to the Afterlife.
 
On the dark of the moon we gather together to honor the souls of those who have succumbed to the shafts of Apollon Smintheos and Arrow-Pouring Artemis. We gather to hold space for the grief of the living who are learning to move forward without their loved ones. We gather to support the transition of newly dead to their status as ancestors, spirits, and states of being we do not yet comprehend. And we gather to petition Persephone to open wide her gates and her gleaming arms to accept her children into her embrace and welcome them home.
 
Feel free to participate in this ritual to the degree that your circumstances allow.
 
For the full Monty please gather:
 
~ a vessel of lustration water which will be purified and used to cleanse you and your space
~ a libation vessel containing water, milk, honey or olive oil (no wine, please) and a receiving vessel into which the opening and closing libations will be poured
~ barley and a bowl in which to fling it (assuming you’re not outside or don’t want to sweep it up afterwards)
~ matches (or a lighter and small twig)
~ asperger (a small bundle of herbs used to sprinkle the lustration water)- mint, rosemary and basil are all good choices
~ a chalice of water which will be used to transform the grief and fear of the dead to peace and comfort for the living
~ a representation of the bereaved families (such as bread, seeds or stones, in a bowl, it will be covered with water).
 
Because this is a kthonic ritual, that is a ritual performed on behalf of the dead and dedicated to Underworld Gods, the libations and offerings will not be shared with you, all will go to the Gods and the dead.
 
If you’d like to read a hymn to Hekate, Hermes, Persephone, Apollon or the beloved dead, please let Suz know in the comments. You can read something of your choice or she can give it to you.

Facebook event
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83732003795

 

Developing Relationships with Northern European Gods
Wednesday, August 26th, 7 PM

Join author, rune reader, and teacher Scott Mohnkern for a fascinating workshop exploring forming relationships with Northern European Gods.

Finding yourself drawn to the gods and goddesses of the north? Ever wondered how heathens relate to their gods and goddesses? Or maybe you’re just curious about what the phrases “Thorsson,” “lokisdauter,” “profession,” or what it means when someone says they are “married to” a god or goddess of the north.

In this discussion we’ll sit down and talk about the unique nature of the Northern European Deities, and developing relationships with them.

Facebook Event Link. This class will be presented on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81004837539?pwd=YlZnOTFoZzRDcDNyR1dxbTl6OUVqdz09

Weekly Recurring Events:

Paganism and Wicca 101
Mondays at 7 pm through September 14th – 10 week series

Join Alythia of the Ash and members of the Frederick CUUPS community for this fascinating 10 week series. This is a class series for seekers who are new to paganism and/or witchcraft or who are looking for more formal instruction after a period of self-directed learning. Develop the basic tools and understanding that will allow you to take your next steps on your spiritual path with greater confidence and insight. This series includes history and traditions, some theologies common to paganism, influences and related practices, observances and holidays, etiquette and ethics, pantheons and Elements, magickal tools and much more.  Drop-ins will need to be cleared by Alythia. If you would like to drop in after the series has begun, please email her at webwitch(at)knottedash(dot)org
Facebook event
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link

 

Yoga with Irene
Mondays at 8 am
Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 am

Yoga for Advancing Beginners is Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 am.  Yoga for Intermediate Practice is Mondays at 8 AM.

Facebook event
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link
A collection of previous classes is available here

 

Stitch-N-Witch with Eira
The 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 3 PM

Grab your yarn and knitting needles, your crochet hooks or embroidery, your paints or markers or WHATEVER you like to craft with and join the Stitch-n-Witch. Hosted by Eira on Zoom, this group meets the second Monday of the month at 3 PM Eastern.
Facebook event
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link

 

Blackfeather Mystery School
The 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM

Intermediate magickal training, drop-ins welcome. Supplementary journey circle the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7 pm.
Facebook event
Email CUUPS@frederickuu.org for the Zoom link.

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July and August Events with Frederick CUUPS

Friday, July 12th, 7:45 pm: Frederick CUUPS July Open Blót (Heathen Ceremony)

Elk Ridge Kindred is a small, local group who practice the Norse
traditions of Heathenry. Join Frederick CUUPS for a blót (pronounced
blōt), which is a traditional way of toasting and honoring Deity and
our ancestors.   This blót honors Loki and the LGBTQ community.

Sunday, July 14th, 10:30 am: July Earth-Centered Spirituality Service

Tuesday, July 16th, 8:30 pm: July Full Moon Labyrinth Walk, Donation Energy Healing & Divination Practice

Monday, July 29th, 6:30 pm: Frederick CUUPS July Dark Moon Drum & Dance Circle

Rejoice in the growing season, connect with the rhythm and learn some new grooves with percussionist Rachel Elizabeth. The Dark Moon Drum Circle will begin with a brief workshop to help people get comfortable playing together. A drum circle is a celebration of life, community, and music-making in the moment. Please bring hand drums, shakers and other hand percussion. A few small hand drums will be available if you do not have your own. Feel free to bring snacks/drinks for yourself or to share. Dancers welcome.

Saturday, August 3rd, 7:45 pm: Frederick CUUPS Open Lammas Ritual

Join Frederick CUUPS for an open, family-friendly Lammas Ritual! Lammas or Lughnassadh is the time of year when plants first start to drop their fruits or seeds. The bounty and fullness of Summer are in full swing, and we begin to harvest what we have sown. Around the world, cultures are celebrating the abundance around us. This family-friendly ritual is open to everyone.

Snack potluck included, please clearly LABEL all offerings with the included ingredients to allow those with dietary restrictions to make healthy choices for themselves.

Sunday, August 11th, 11:30 am: August Earth-Centered Spirituality Service

Monday, August 12th, 19th and 26th at 7 pm: An Introduction to the Runes: Messages, Magick and Mystery

Join Chris Kackley of Frederick CUUPS and Elk Ridge Kindred for a three session workshop series on learning the Runes: the ancient Norse alphabet and magickal system. This series will cover the names, associations and myths of each Rune as well as how to use Runes in magick and divination. Each session will focus on one aett – one 8 Rune set from the 24 Runes of the Elder Futhark. Classes are approximately 2 hours, recommended donation of $10 per session. Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil. If you have a set of Runes, you are welcome to bring them for reference and practice, but you do not need to own Runes to take the series.

Thursday, August 15th, 8 pm: August Full Moon Labyrinth Walk, Donation Energy Healing & Divination Practice

Friday, August 23rd, 7:45 pm: Frederick CUUPS August Open Blót (Heathen Ceremony)

Elk Ridge Kindred is a small, local group who practice the Norse
traditions of Heathenry. Join Frederick CUUPS for a blót (pronounced
blōt), which is a traditional way of toasting and honoring Deity and
our ancestors.