Coming Up This Term...

Just to get you into the swing of things, here's a little list of some of the stuff we've got happening with the Pagan Society before Christmas.  (It's basically our Events page from www.cardiffpagan.co.uk, copied and pasted...)  If you have a subject you are particularly interested in and knowledgable about, and would like to give us a talk on it, please email the President at president@cardiffpagan.co.uk 

Ongoing Throughout the Term:

Socials

We have weekly pub socials every Thursday night from 8pm onwards.  These are usually in the Mackintosh pub (Richard Street, Cathays) but this year we will have other social events as well, and probably socials at other pubs just for the variation.  You will be notified of any changes via the C.U.P.S mailing list.

Witchcraft 101

An informal, fortnightly (subject to change) group run by some of the C.U.P.S members, where you can look at all aspects of witchcraft, without the religion attached!  From colour and element magic, to binding, magical protection, magical crafts, energy raising, consecration, and more, we've got all kinds of topics for all purposes.  This group will be running subject to attendance, and you will be notified via the C.U.P.S mailing list of times and venues.

Tarot Coffee Club

As with Witchcraft 101, the Tarot Coffee Club will only run subject to attendance.  It is an informal fortnightly group facilitated by Kim Huggens, where Tarot enthusiasts from beginner to enthusiast can meet to hear short talks about Tarot (given by anybody who wishes to speak), learn new techniques and spreads, gain experience reading for others, receive readings, and look at Tarot decks.  Watch the mailing list for more info!

Hermetic Study Group

As above, this group will only run subject to attendance.  Facilitated by David Benton who has been a Hermetic magician for over 20 years, this monthly group helps those who are interested in Hermetic magic learn more about it.  Great for beginners due to the friendly atmosphere and lack of magical jargon, but also good for more experienced magicians who wish to meet others interested in the subject or just brush up on their knowledge/experience.  Watch the mailing list for more info.

Offerings Magazine

This online magazine is released termly, and is written for you guys by members of the Pagan Society.  We accept all sorts of stuff: articles, poetry, stories, reviews, artwork, rants...  As long as it is of interest to Pagans and not too badly written, we'll consider it for publication in Offerings.  You don't even have to be an expert on a subject to write about it: we value opinions as well as knowledge (for evidence of this, just check out some of the ranty Editorials!)  Have a look at the submission guidelines for the submission deadlines for Issue 13.  You can see all our previous issues at www.cardiffpagan.co.uk/magazine/issues/.

Talks, workshops, trips and other events galore:

Sun 1 October '06, 7:30pm
UK Pagan Pub Moot with Talk: "Dream Drugs and Shamanic Sleeping"

The South Wales UKPagan contingent organize a monthly Pagan pub moot held Upstairs (private function room) at the Rummer Tavern on Duke Street, Cardiff, on the first Sunday of every month from, 7:30pm onwards. As well as being a social event for Pagans to get together and meet old and new faces, UKPagan hosts a talk. This month Marion Woolley will be talking about "Dream Drugs and Shamanic Sleeping".

All are welcome, but the organizers ask for a £1 fee to cover the cost of room hire.

Thu 5 October '06, 7:00pm
Workshop: Introduction to Group Ritual #1

Your first group ritual, and for that matter any first ritual you do, can be a scary experience. You're worried you'll do or say the wrong thing, forget what you're supposed to be doing, break a rule of etiquette you didn't know existed, or just plain freeze. So, with the first Pagan Society ritual (Samhain, October 31st) approaching and many new members or people new to Paganism wishing to attend, we thought we'd run a few workshop sessions that introduce you to group ritual.

During the three workshops leading up to Samhain we will look at different techniques used during ritual (both solitary and group), the various situations you may be faced with, and how to do the basics - grounding, raising energy, invoking the Gods, making offerings, calling the elements, pathworking, chants, casting the circle, and more.

This session we will cover:

• The purpose of ritual in Paganism
• Differences in traditions, group and solitary, coven and open rituals
• Exploding some myths about group ritual
• Casting the circle - purpose and methods
• Calling the Elements/Quarters - purpose and methods, importance of elements in ritual
• Invoking deity - purpose and methods, pantheons.

This workshop will be held on the 4th floor of the Student's Union from 7pm-9pm, room to be announced. The Pagan Society social follows, though starts at 8pm so those attending the workshops will arrive late.

Tue 10 October '06, 8:00pm
Film Night: "The Wicker Man" (original) and "The Call of Cthulhu"

It's always fun to see how Paganism is represented in the media, and what better way to do it than by watching loads of films! Our first film night is a double-whammy of the original "Wicker Man" (in which a fundamentalist Christian policeman has to investigate the disappearance of a girl on Summerisle, a community of practicing Pagans) and some dark, creepy horror from the mind of H.P. Lovecraft with "The Call of Cthulhu." The two films together won't last beyond 2 hours.

Screening will begin at around 8:15pm, so arrive at 8pm and get comfy. Venue to be announced (somewhere in the Student's Union or a lecture theatre.)

Thu 12 October '06, 7:00pm
Workshop: Introduction to Group Ritual #2

A follow-on from the first Introduction to Group Ritual.

This session we will cover:

• Altars - uses, purpose, decoration
• Ritual tools - do you need them? What are they for? Making your own.
• Raising energy - dances, chanting, drumming, breathing, the Middle Pillar and other techniques

This workshop will be held on the 4th floor of the Student's Union from 7pm-9pm, room to be announced. The Pagan Society social follows, though starts at 8pm so those attending the workshops will arrive late.  

Sat 14 - Sat 14 October '06
Daytrip: The Crystal Maze

Who didn't grow up watching Richard O'Brien host The Crystal Maze? Who didn't want to have a go at it? So, since we're all so in love with the show and the great dude of baldness himself, we thought we'd have a trip to The Crystal Maze, owned by Oakwood Leisure Park in Narberth. Although Richard O'Brien will not be there to guide you through the traps and perils of each game, it should be fun. It costs £7 for a game of bowling and a game of The Crystal Maze, and whilst we're in the area we will be visiting a few local sacred sites. And probably a pub. We will also be asking each person to put some money towards petrol for the minibus (hire of the minibus is free but we have to pay for petrol.) This should not come to more than £5 per person.

As with all our trips, we have a limited number of places on the minibus, so we will allocate places on a first come, first served basis, and full student members will be given first priority before we consider associated members.

Further details (leaving times, etc.) to follow.

Thu 19 October '06, 7:00pm
Workshop: Introduction to Group Ritual #3 (Final)

The final Introduction to Group ritual session, intended to look at some of the more advanced aspects of group ritual.

This session we will cover:

• Making Offerings: purpose, methods, types of offerings
• Pathworking, meditation, and visualization
• Mystery plays, costumes, masks, and music
• Etiquette - how to avoid the really embarrassing situations!
• Question and Answer session.

This workshop will be held on the 4th floor of the Student's Union from 7pm-9pm, room to be announced. The Pagan Society social follows, though starts at 8pm so those attending the workshops will arrive late.

Wed 1 November '06, 7:30pm
Samhain Celebration

Samhain, celebrated October 31st-November 1st, marks the Celtic New Year when we pass into Winter. It is a festival during which we remember our ancestors and loved ones who have gone before us, recognize the part death plays in the cycle of life, and explore the dark side of our own inner selves alongside the dark side of the year.

The Pagan Society's Samhain ritual will take place at the Quaker Meeting House, from 7:30pm on November 1st. The theme will be Descent into the Underworld, and there will be a mystery play of the ancient Sumerian myth of Inannas' descent into the underworld of Erishkegal, the dark Goddess of death. Further details of the ritual will follow, though we will be looking for people to contribute to it in the form of Quarter Callers, Circle Casters, and Invokers of the Gods (in their form as Dark Goddess and Dying God.) We also ask that people bring some candles to help light the ritual room, and some food and drink to share at the post-ritual feast.

(If you are nervous about taking part, please feel free to attend some of our Introduction to Group Ritual workshops!)

Sun 5 November '06, 7:30pm
UK Pagan Pub Moot with Talk: Wicca

The South Wales UKPagan contingent organize a monthly Pagan pub moot held Upstairs (private function room) at the Rummer Tavern on Duke Street, Cardiff, on the first Sunday of every month from, 7:30pm onwards. As well as being a social event for Pagans to get together and meet old and new faces, UKPagan hosts a talk. This month Sarah Fisher will be talking about "Wicca." During her talk she will be focusing on her personal experiences as a relatively young person (24) entering Gardnerian Wicca - how it happened, what Gardnerian Wiccans do, and how the widespread tradition functions in 2006. Although Sarah will not be covering Wiccan history (which is controversial and much-discussed anyway), she will be exploring some of the controversial aspects of Wicca: initiation, the modern use of the term 'Wicca', the skyclad issue, and the infamous Great Rite.

All are welcome, but the organizers ask for a £1 fee to cover the cost of room hire.

Tue 7 November '06
Social: Bowling

Just because it's fun, we thought we'd have a bowling trip. Meetup times and prices to follow.

Wed 8 November '06, 7:30pm
Talk: "Egyptian Mythology"

Egyptian culture and religion has fascinated both academics and occultists for hundreds of years, and today Egyptian mythology often plays a prominent part in Neo-Pagan worship. The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses appear frequently in Thelema and Wicca, and figures such as Isis appear to have had a great impact on other religions such as early Christianity.

In this talk, David Benton will be exploring Egyptian mythology - the stories and personalities of the Gods and Goddesses, and the magic and ritual behind them.

The talk will be held on the 4th floor of the Student's Union, room to be announced, on Wednesday 8th November, at 7:30pm.

Wed 15 November '06, 7:30pm
Talk: "Tarot from a Pagan Perspective"

Tarot is a popular pastime of many Neo-Pagans, occultists, and New Agers, and it also forms a large part of the spiritual and magical practice of many of us. It can be used to tell the future, guide our spiritual path, communicate with the Gods, play games, and explore our lives and inner selves. However, this versatile tool can often be difficult to get the hang of when there are so many books out there all suggesting different methods and interpretations of the cards.
This talk, given by Kim Huggens (co-creator of the forthcoming Sol Invictus: The God Tarot, who has been reading Tarot since the age of 9) will explore the Tarot and its use and interpretation from a distinctly Pagan perspective. Using symbolism and mythology familiar and of interest to Pagans, she will show you simple yet effective ways of using the cards to read for yourself and others, and how they can be applied to the spiritual Pagan path.

There will be Tarot decks available to borrow on the evening, so if you do not have a Tarot deck don't worry! If you do have a deck, you are invited to borrow a different deck if you see one you would prefer to use.

This talk will be held on the 4th floor of the Student's Union, room to be announced, on Wednesday 15th November, at 7:30pm.

Sat 18 - Sat 18 November '06
Daytrip: Bath Spa

Bath Spa is renowned for its Roman Baths, and today you can visit the remains of this archaeological attraction for the price of £8.50 (with NUS card) or £11 (for you non-students.) Famed for the fact that here the Romans of Bath Spa bathed, relaxed, socialized, and worshiped Sulis-Minerva, the museum attached to the Baths has a rather lovely display of curse tablets to Sulis-Minerva found at the bottom of many of the baths. The temple at which she was worshiped has also been recovered, and you can tour the remains and see some of the beautiful architecture.

Also in Bath Spa is the Jane Austen musuem for the literature fans, beautiful scenery, great shopping, and Shakeaways - the best milkshake place this close to Cardiff!

For this trip we will be hiring out a minibus, so places will be limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment, as this will be on a first-come, first-served basis and full student members will be given first priority. We will not be accepting bookings for this trip until Fresher's Fayre (28th September). As usual, we will be asking for some money from each person towards the cost of petrol (should not be more than £5.)

Meetup times, etc. to be announced.

Tue 21 November '06, 7:30pm
Workshop: Mantra

On Tuesday 21st November, at 7:30pm on the 4th floor of the Student's Union (room to be announced), Andy Holland will be holding a workshop on the yogic practice of Mantra, which although it is not Pagan can be practiced by Pagans in ritual and on its own.

The ancient spiritual science of mantra is a tradition tracing its roots to the great rishis and sages of India, who are said to have received the sounds of mantra and the Sanskrit language itself during the trance-state of samadhi.

Andy Holland was taught mantra by his parents and mantra master Muz Murray, and has been chanting for over a decade. His aim in the workshop is to explain to people what mantra is and how it works, and then practice using a selection of energy-raising, uplifting, healing and calming mantras in a group chanting session.

Mantra doesn't require any background knowledge or experience and you don't need to be able to sing. Chanting is very experiential so we hope people will come along and enjoy themselves!

Tue 28 November '06, 7:30pm
Workshop: Meditation and Visualization - Why It's Difficult and How to Make it Easier

Meditation and visualization techniques are central to many spiritual practices. In addition, they have both been shown to have a number of physical and mental health benefits.  However, many people find meditation and visualization very difficult.  This workshop, run by Philip Doré, discusses some of the problems people may have, and looks at practical ways to overcome them as well as passing on some valuable meditation and visualization techniques.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday 28th November, at 7:30pm on the 4th floor of the Student's Union (room to be announced).

Fri 1 December '06, 7:30pm
Talk: "The Early Modern Witch Hunts: Were They Pagans?"

Sam Learmonth is a recent graduate of History from Cardiff University, where he specialized in the early modern witch hunts and the trials of the Templars. In this talk he will be examining the witch hunts and asking the questions, were those tried as witches Pagans? Were they practising magic? Were they cunning men and women? Why were they tried and executed in the first place? Examining the trials and accounts of persecutions throughout Europe, we will be taken on an exciting journey through demonization, forced confessions, the Benedanti folk magic of Italy, and the Malleus Malificarum. Oh, and let's not forget the added cast of Witchfinder Generals, Popes, and stereotyped hysterical women.

This talk will be held on Friday 1st December, at 7:30pm on the 4th floor of the Student's Union (room to be announced.)

Tue 5 December '06, 7:30pm
Yule Event: Myth, Magic, and Mince Pies

It went down so well last year that we thought we'd give it another shot!

As a Christmas/Yule event, the Pagan Society will be holding a Bardic storytelling evening where we can share and listen to Pagan stories and myths (feel free to bring your own or retell a well-loved or obscure myth), drink plenty of mead, beer, cider, wine, etc. and eat plenty of food. We ask that you bring along some food and drink to contribute to the feast, and if you wish to tell a story at the event please email Kim (kimhuggens@yahoo.co.uk) with the title of your story. You don't have to be a storyteller, so feel free to just come along and listen.

Last year we had the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin, a tragic tale from Wales of a healer who turned into stone, an aborigine Creation myth, the tale of Tristan and Isolde, and the story of how the Norse God Thor ended up cross-dressing.

The event will begin at 7:30pm, venue to be announced.