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 after the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately since it’s a new year and new term, very few events are listed: these will be organized closer to the time. We are always on the lookout for talks and workshops, especially for the Spring term, so if you have a subject you are particularly interested in and knowledgeable about, and would like to give us a talk on it, please email the President at president@cardiffpagan.co.uk  Further and more up-to-date events listings can be found on our website at www.cardiffpagan.co.uk/events.

Ongoing Throughout the Term:

Socials

We have weekly pub socials every Thursday night from 8pm onwards.  These are usually in the Mackintosh pub (Richards 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.

Also, there may be some changes in either frequency or organizers of the group, subject to the organizers’ family commitments. Watch the email list for more info!

Tarot Coffee Club

The Tarot Coffee Club has been a hit throughout the first term, so it will definitely be continuing for the rest of the academic year. 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!

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:

Thu 21 December '06, 7:30pm
Cardiff Midwinter Festival

The Gate Theatre, Keppoch Street, Roath. Early evening on Thursday 21st December, exact time yet to be confirmed.

From the folks who brought us the wonderful Samhain Day of the Dead festival comes another promising and exciting seasonal celebration. To mark the Winter Solstice/Midwinter festival, there will be a celebration at the Gate Theatre on Keppoch Street, Roath on 21st December. This will include mulled wine and cake, carol singing, Midwinter mumming, prayers for peace, candle ceremony, circle dancing, music and merriment! Plenty of fun with some wonderful people. (And the dancing is always fabulous as well!)

Anyone and everyone is invited to attend, regardless of religion or lack thereof, since this event - whilst being Pagan - weaves in strands of other spiritual paths and doesn't force Paganism upon anybody. It is also suitable for children.

Price to attend the event is £5, which will cover things like food, venue hire, and candles.

Sun 7 January '07, 8:00pm
Pagan Pub Moot with talk: "The Divine Feminine in Early Christianity - Whores, Prophetesses, and Warrioresses"

The monthly UKPagan pub moot returns in the New Year on Sunday 7th January 2007 at 8pm. It will be held upstairs in the Rummer Tavern's function room (opposite Cardiff Castle), and this month will also feature a talk on "The Divine Feminine in Early Christianity: Whores, Prophetesses and Warrioresses" by Kim Huggens.

This talk will explore some of the views of God's gender from the first few centuries of Christianity, including a look at Gnostic mythology and the role of Sophia, early novellas that tell the story of Mary mother of Christ, Perpetua's almost transsexual martyrdom, and the highly important roles women played in the early church. Oh, and there will probably be some mention of Mary Magdalene somewhere too.

The organizers ask for a £1 fee at the talk, which will go towards the cost of room hire.

Friday 2nd February ’07, 7:30pm

Imbolc Ritual

Venue to be confirmed.

Imbolc is the season when Spring starts to creep through the ice and chill of Winter, and life begins to be reborn from the earth. As such, this festival will celebrate the first spark of light in the darkness, change, healing, and affirmation of life. Exact theme yet to be confirmed: watch the email list for more information!

Sun 4 February '07, 8:00pm
Pagan Pub Moot with talk: "Paganism and the Law"

The monthly UKPagan pub moot will be held on Sunday 4th February, upstairs in the Rummer Tavern's function room (opposite Cardiff Castle) at 8pm. This month it will feature a talk by Jon Underhill, a current student of Law at Cardiff University, on the subject of Paganism and the Law.

From the legal procedures of the early modern witch hunts, to modern questions surrounding subjects such as carrying ritual blades, the status of Paganism in the courts, and more, Jon Underhill will answer many of the questions a practicing Pagan might come across.

As well as the talk, the UKPagan moot is a great way to socialize with the wider Pagan community and meet new people. The organizers ask for a £1 fee to cover the cost of room hire.

Sun 4 March '07, 8:00pm
Pagan Pub Moot with talk: "Freemasonry and Paganism"

The monthly UKPagan pub moot will be held upstairs in the Rummer Tavern's function room (opposite Cardiff Castle) on Sunday 4th March, 8pm. This moot will also feature a talk by Robert Fisher on Freemasonry, and the ritual symbolism it holds in common with Paganism.

As well as the talk, the UKPagan moot is a great way to socialize with the wider Pagan community and meet likeminded people. The organizers ask for a £1 fee to cover the cost of room hire.

Sat 10th March ‘07

Trip: Stonehenge with Private Access to the stones, and Avebury

Although exact details are yet to be confirmed, CUPS will be running a trip to Stonehenge that will include private access to the stones themselves (instead of standing 30ft away behind a rope barrier). Private access costs £12, and other costs on the trip will include with petrol for the minibus, and toll bridge fees, which put together should cost no more than £5 per person if we fill the 17-seater minibus. This trip will also take us through Avebury during the day, where you can explore the huge stone circle that encompasses the entire village.

Places will not be given yet, and they will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, with full student members considered first and foremost. Watch the mailing list for the sign-up date!

Ostara/Spring Equinox Ritual

Anytime between 20th and 22nd March, exact date and venue to be confirmed.

Time to celebrate the fertility of the land around us, and the balance between day and night, light and dark at the Spring Equinox when – like the Autumn Equinox – day and night are equal in length. Theme yet to be confirmed.

Sun 1 April '07, 8:00pm
Pagan Pub Moot with talk: "Witch Stereotypes and their Formation in Early Modern Sources"

The monthly UKPagan pub moot will be held upstairs in the Rummer Tavern's function room (opposite Cardiff Castle) on Sunday 1st April 2007, at 8pm. This moot will also feature a talk by Sam Learmonth, a Cardiff University graduate of History, on "Witch Stereotypes and their Formation in Early Modern Sources."

Ever wanted to know where the typical image of a hag riding a broomstick comes from? Want to know why witches were said to worship the devil? Have you wondered where the dramatic stereotype of baby-eating, incestuous, toad-licking, cackling hag originated? The Early Modern period sees the formative years of ideas of witchcraft, due to its focus on rooting out the evil that was seen to be doing the rounds at the time.

The moot also offers a place to meet and socialize with the wider Pagan community. The organizers ask for a £1 fee to cover the cost of room hire.

Sometime in April: Trip to Cornwall

This trip will take us on a visit to the Boscastle Witchcraft Museum, Tintagel, Rocky Valley, St. Nectan’s Glen, and probably some pubs and beaches on the way. Exact times, dates, etc to be confirmed.

Sometime in May: Trip to Glastonbury

To the British Pagan Mecca and Arthurian legend centre we go! Glastonbury is full of Pagan and Arthurian history, mystery, myth, and sacred sites, not to mention dozens of amazing Pagan shops!