Past Events

Let your voice be heard! What subjects would you like CTC to delve into? What do you desire to teach? The place to share what you want to see taught, what you want to teach, and how the circle is celebrated.

The use of rhythm instruments is as old as mankind. There are many forms of instruments that one can make and use for rituals, cleansings, and more. Join us as we make shakers, clapping sticks, sistrums, and simple drums. Facilitated by Amy and Tamia.

CTC’s going to the zoo! Meet at ERUFF as we travel to the Asheboro Zoo. Who knows what insights we may glean from the earth’s more exotic inhabitants!

We continue our studies with the Ace Through Five of Cups. Cups represent our heart and souls, our emotions. We will discuss the attributes of the Ace through Five and share our stories of the Tarot. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

The dictionary defines Utopia as (1) an imaginary and indefinitely remote place; (2) a place of ideal perfection, esp. in laws, government, and social conditions; and (3) an impractical scheme for social improvement There are many examples in fiction and real life experimentationPlato s Republic, Robert Rimmer s Harrad and Premar, the Transcendentalist s Brook Farm, the Shaker communities, and the Hippie communes. What would your Pagan Utopia look like? Would it be Pagan? Facilitated by Dick.

Daylight flees,
  Darkness comes.
A chill wind blows,
  Parting the Veils,
    Whispering the names
      of our Beloved Dead,
   And sharing a glimpse
     of the coming year.

Join us on Sunday, October 31st at 5:00PM in rooms 4 & 5 of the CARE building at the Eno River UU Fellowship, Durham, to celebrate Samhain. We will honor our Beloved Dead and explore the portents of the coming year in oracles and divination. Please bring a dish to share for the post-ritual feasting and an object to place on the community altar. Facilitated by Tamia & Lance.

Children's Circle celebrates Samhain this Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Hillsborough. Please join us at 10:00am as we honor Those Who Have Gone Before Us. To honor our dead we will make small Ancestors Alters for each family or group to tale with them. So bring pictures or small items that remind you of loved ones or pets that have passed on to be placed in the alter boxes for safe keeping. Please say after the Ritual and join CTC for a picnic.

Join CTC for a Pagan Picnic at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hillsborough following the Children's Circle Samhain ritual on Saturday, November 6th. The picnic will be from 11:30AM to 3:00PM UUCH has a playground for children outside and a nursery inside. Directions to UUCH can be found on our Directions web page.

The medicinal practices of Aromatherapy and Herbalism are used by many pagan practitioners in their everyday lives for healing and health maintenance. This learning circle focuses on incorporating these healing modalities into Healing Rituals. Come prepared for some hands-on healing magick. Facilitated by Tamia.

This series is an exploration of universal archetypes expressed as diety. Everything that begins must someday end. This series began with a creation myth, and it is only fitting that it end with destruction. A look at the darker side of deity. Facilitated by Eliza.

Bring you own spiral bound or loose-leaf notebook to cover with decorative paper or fabric to create your own one-of-kind Book of Shadows, journal, or scrapbook. We will also make our own goose quill pens and practice our caligraphy. Facilitated by Rachel.

We will discuss purposes of a Book of Shadows and what you might want to include in it. Participants will make up an outline or table of contents for their BOS as a starting point for making acollection of useful information. Facilitated by Dick.

Decorating for the holidays is second nature in most households and many office buildings. Altars are natural extensions of that practice in our pagan tradition. Altars that change with the wheel of the year can be quietly incorporated into mundane settings - or celebrated flamboyantly in our private spaces. Bring your own ideas and altar objects with you to this circle for discussion and sharing of ideas for Yule and Imbolc altars. Facilitated by Tamia.

We continue our studies with the Six through Ten of Cups. Cups repreasent our heart and souls, our emotions. We will discuss the attributes of the Six through Ten and share our stories of the Tarot. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

Hail to the Season!

You are invited to join Celebrate The Circle as we celebrate Yule at 5:00PM on Sunday, December 19th at the Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, NC. We will gather in the Commons Room of the CARE building at 5:00PM with the Winter Rite beginning at 5:30PM.

At this time do we know the dark of the year.
The season of life is past, and all is cold.
Emptiness and bleakness are all about.
Let us now give honor to the Triple Goddess
That the season may be made better
Through the birth of the Divine Child,
The Golden Newborn Solstice Sun.

We will honor the God and Goddess and explore the wisdom of the seasonin word, meditation, and movement. Please bring an item you would like to place on the Winter Altar and a dish to share for the post-ritual feasting!

Facilitated by Dick & Lance.

How do you spell PARTY? Bring goodies to consume and share as we continue celebrating the season of the solstice and the return of the sun. Facilitated by Dick.

Let your voice be heard! What subjects would you like CTC to delve into? What do you desire to teach? The place to share what you want to see taught, what you want to teach, and how the circle is celebrated.

Join Triad CUUPS at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro on Sat. Jan. 8th from 8 pm until midnight for the 4th annual Pagan Ball.

This year's theme is "Gypsy Cabaret," featuring live music by Kings & Peaches & by DJ Heartless. This year's theme is "Gypsy Cabaret," so wear your most faniciful attire (prizes awarded to the best costumes.)

Enjoy sumptuous hors d'oeurves & get a free New Year's psychic reading from one of our talented intuitives. The Ball is BYOB, with proper ID & a designated driver.

At only $20 at the door, tickets are quite a bargain for so much fun. For more information, email Triad CUUPS.

Facilitated by Cynthia.

There have been witches and wizards in movies long before Harry Potter. During this learning circle we will discuss Hollywood's treatment of paganism. Facilitated by Dick.

We continue our studies with the Ace through Five of Wands. Wands represents enterprise, growth and development. We will discuss the attributes of the Ace through Five and share our stories of the Tarot. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

We invite everyone to attend Winter Quest 05. Please visit Winter Quest 2005: Behind the Mask — Our Inner Spirituality for more information.

Manifesting our New Beginnings

At Yule we gathered to celebrate the birth of the Divine Sun Child, honored the shortest day and longest night of the year, and explored Joy, Courage, Meditation, and Confidence. Now Imbolc approaches and the Sun Child climbs higher, making each day longer than the last. Our thoughts turn from Winter's darkness and quiet to consider our work for the coming year. What idea's came away with you from Yule? What work is before you?

Imbolc is the time of new beginnings. To our Northern European ancestors, it marked the beginning of the lambing season and the arrival of the 'new milk' in the ewes and the beginning of the end of Winter. Today, many Pagan traditions initiate new members and/or confer new degrees or honors at Imbolc. CTC honors this tradition by providing an opportunity to accept a Challenge from the Goddess/God.

We will invoke Brighid to join our circle as we gather to celebrate the growth of the Sun Child, honor those who accepted Challenges in the past year, hear those with new Challenges for the coming year, and bless the tools of our Crafts. Please bring any candles, tools, and other items you wish to be blessed for the coming year!

Those who have accepted Challenges during past CTC Imbolc rituals may speak of their accomplishments and those wishing to accept new Challenges may do so. What inspiration came to you at Yule? What seed of an idea or plan was planted deep in your mind, ready for nurturing and growth in the coming seasons? This is an opportunity to announce new beginnings, or continuation of old tasks, and ask for the help and support of our whole community and the Gods in your endeavors.

Our Lady Brighid is the Patron Goddess of the Muse, the Forge, and the Hearth and watches over all who Create, Craft, and Nurture. If you wish it, you may ask a Boon of Her during the ritual. A gift of the Goddess, be it large or small, that you desire for yourself.

Please gather at 5:00PM on February 6, in the Commons Room of the CARE Building at the Eno River UU Fellowship (ERUUF). The ritual will begin at 5:30PM. Directions to ERUUF can be on our directions page. Everyone is welcome to attend!

We will feast after the ritual so please bring a dish to share. There are many wonderful foods associated with Imbolc and I encourage you to explore some of the websites below and bring something special for the feasting! The Lamb's Stew from the first link will be provided!

Imbolc Recipes:

• Imbolc Recipes
• Red Deer's & Elenya's Imbolc Recipes
• Recipes for a White Goddess
• Imbolc Celebration Recipes

Facilitated by Lance.

Decorating for the holidays is second nature in most households and many office buildings. Altars are natural extensions of that practice in our pagan tradition. Altars that change with the wheel of the year can be quietly incorporated into mundane settings - or celebrated flamboyantly in our private spaces. Bring your own ideas and altar objects with you to this circle for discussion and sharing of ideas for Ostara and Beltane altars. Facilitated by Tamia.

We continue our studies with the Six through Ten of Wands. Wands represents enterprise, growth and development. We will discuss the attributes of the Six through Ten and share our stories of the Tarot. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

We continue our studies with the Ace through Five of Pentacles. Pentacles represent the material and financial aspects of your world. We will explores the Ace through Five of Pentacles and share our experiences with them. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

The submission deadline for CTC's quarterly newsletter, "Celebrating the Circle," is Monday, April 4. Forward your articles, letters, rants, dates, poetry, artwork and responses to the editor, Amy Brann, at info@celebratethecircle.org.

As pagans, I feel it our duty to try to help heal the damage many humans have done to Mother Earth. A discussion of spells, rituals, and mundane methods for planetary healing. Facilitated by Eliza.

We can use crystals and gemstones in a variety of ways, from wearing a certain stone for protection or using particular crystals in circle to focus energy. Each offers us its own unique gift which we can use in daily life and formal ritual. From the healing aspects of Agate to the illumination brought by Zircon, we will discover what many have to offer. Facilitated by Amy.

Ostara, the first breath of Spring, marks the transition of the Child to Youth or Maiden. It is a time of moving into the adult world, but still maintaining innocence and wonder. Although most traditional cultures had initiation ceremonies to mark the transition, modern Americans have lost that practice.

Earth-centered religions have done an excellent job of rekindling the tradition of Maidenings. This Ostara, CTC reclaims the initiation rites of Corroborree, the Aboriginal Australian rite of passage for the young men of the tribe. We will adapt the process of Corroborree for all our children, male and female, including our inner children, and guide their steps on the path of serving the community as adults, while staying true to their own hearts. Share in the oral tradition of an earth-centered spirituality that has been in continuous practice from Stone Age times.

Join CTC on March 20th at 5:00 p.m. for ritual beginning at 5:30. Children are specifically encouraged to attend this ritual. Weather permitting, we will celebrate in the outdoor Meditation Area. Participants might want to consider bringing ground clothes and bug repellant for this gathering. An indoor potluck will follow the ritual.

Facilitated by Tamia.

Let your voice be heard! What subjects would you like CTC to delve into? What do you desire to teach? The place to share what you want to see taught, what you want to teach, and how the circle is celebrated.

Come join us for two hours of fun and music! We will talk about music in ritual, uses of chants, and learn some of the most common pagan chants. Facilitated by Cynthia.

Ever considered using your tarot deck for something besides divination? Tarot is a powerful magickal tool and can be used to enhance almost any ritual. We will discuss tarot use in spells, create tarot mandalas, and look at incorporating tarot into circle casting, cakes and ale ceremonies, and other ritual staples. Bring your tarot deck! Facilitated by Eliza.

Facilitated by Dick.

We invite everyone to attend Spring Quest 05. Please visit Spring Quest 2005: With Our Hands, and With Our Hearts for more information.

I Sing the Body Electric

Beltane is the time for celebrating the waxing year, the renewal of nature.  It is the time of flowering.  It is High Spring.  It is a celebration of the fertility of the Earth.

One hundred fifty years ago this year, Walt Whitman published the first edition of his collectio of poems, Leaves of Grass. Of that work, "I Sing the Body Electric" is an unabashed paean to the human body.

I sing the body electric,
The armies of those I love engirth me and I engith them,
They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them,
And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the soul.

For Beltane 2000, CTC adapted Whitman's words to use in ritual. We are doing so again in this nniversary year. We will dance the Maypole, the Shaft of Life. We will have a cauldron to jump since a balefire is not appropriate on the ERUUF campus. We will hae a grand time.

Sunday, May 1st at 5:00PM we will gather at the CARE building. The ritual will be followed by a pot luck feast. Bring food and drink to share. Drums and festive garb are welcome. You might enhance your experience of the ritual by reading "I Sing the Body Electric" from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass prior to the ritual.

If you have questions, contact Dick Merritt at dickmerritt@mindspring.com or (919)-644-6310.

Decorating for the holidays is second nature in most households and many office buildings. Altars are natural extensions of that practice in our pagan tradition. Altars that change with the wheel of the year can be quietly incorporated into mundane settings - or celebrated flamboyantly in our private spaces. Bring your own ideas and altar objects with you to this circle for discussion and sharing of ideas for Litha and Lammas altars. Facilitated by Tamia.

We continue our studies with the Six through Ten of Pentacles. Pentacles represent the material and financial aspects of your world. We will explores the Six through Ten of Pentacles and share our experiences with them. Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

What ritual would a cinnamon apple bread go best with? When would it be best to share strawberry wine? We’ll explore what fruits, spices, grains, and more have relationships with the eight Sabbats. There will also be a tasting of cakes & ale fare. Please bring favorite recipes or a bit of cake to share. Facilitated by Amy.

Facilitated by Cynthia.

"God Against the Gods," by Johnathan Kirsch,is a dramatic and eye-opening epic of the final struggle between monotheism and polytheism in the ancient world. It was a war fought by an Egyptian pharaoh, a Jewish king, and a Roman emperor—charismatic, visionary, and violent men battling in the name of the Only True God. Kirsch demonstrates how the world of classical paganism was in fact based on religious liberty and diversity and how the advent of monotheism brought—in the name of true belief—holy war, crusades, martyrdom, and inquisitions.

The last stand of paganism in the tumultuous fourth century is a rare example of a moment when two men—the Roman emperors Constantine, who initiated the Christian revolution that formed the future, and Julian, who later tried but failed to restore paganism—literally changed the history of the world. God Against the Gods, breaking a long-lived taboo, reveals monotheism’s dark side and polytheism’s bright one, illuminating the ancient roots of today’s most bloody conflicts as well as the cherished idea of religious liberty.

Administrivia Let your voice be heard! What subjects would you like CTC to delve into? What do you desire to teach? The place to share what you want to see taught, what you want to teach, and how the circle is celebrated.

Come join us as we celebrate summer vacation and let our inner children out to play. We'll explore the elemental aspects of childhood and rediscover the pleasures of play. Remember: just because you grow up doesn't mean you have to be old! Facilitated by Jag, Eliza & Rachel.

The movie “The Red Violin” is structured around a Tarot reading. Come enjoy the film and discussion of how the cards relate to the storyline. Facilitated by Amy.

Welcome to one of the most confusing portions of the Tarot! The Court cards. We continue our study of the Minor Suites examining the Court cards in the suit of Wands. Wands represent our growth and creative energies. What do the Page, Knight, Queen, and King of wands bring to your readings? Please bring your Tarot decks and stories to share! Facilitated by Lance.

In this workshop we will create a herbal delights to relax and enhance your dream time. We will look at dream pillows to assist your journey into the land of dreams and the many different herbal mixtures that can aid us. Little-to-no sewing skills required. Facilitated by Becky.

Looking for new pagan music? Found a great pagan group you want to share with others? Bring your favorite pagan cds and tapes as we share and discuss our favorite pagan-themed music, mood music for ritual/meditation, etc. Facilitated by Jag.

Percussion and rhythm are among the most fundamental musical styles known. Drums can calm us, or drive us into fits of ecstasy. Come and learn how simple drumming can be used to enhance and empower your rituals! Facilitated by Lance.

Join CTC this Lughnassadh as we celebrate the Egyptian Epagomenal Days. In Ancient Egypt, these festival days celebrated the transition from the old year to the new year, as well the birthdays of Osiris (July 28), Horus (July 29), Set (July 30), Isis (July 31), and Nephthys (August 1).

As we honor, Osiris, the Lord of All Earth, we will give thanks to the universe for all its bounty.

In celebration of Horus, He Who Is Above, we will contemplate our lofty goals and plans for the future.

In reverence to Set, the Lord of Storm, we will banish the harmful the burdens of the past.

The Mistress of Magic, Isis, will be glorified as we joyfully share our accomplishments and successes of the year.

We will rejoice with Nephthys, the Lady of the House, by seek our inner mysteries and connect with them to transform dream into reality.

Join us in Rooms 4 and 5 of the CARE Building. Gather at 5 p.m. The ritual will start at 5:30.

We will feast after the ritual so please bring a dish to share. Need ideas? Foods found in Ancient Egypt include beef, lamb, fish, duck, carrots, turnips, celery, radishes, leeks, peas, lentils, spinach, lettuce, garlic, barley, chickpeas, onions, dill, fennel, thyme, sesame, parsley, dates, plums, figs, pomegranates, watermelon, grapes - just to name a few!

Facilitated by Becky & Amy.

Decorating for the holidays is second nature in most households and many office buildings. Altars are natural extensions of that practice in our pagan tradition. Altars that change with the wheel of the year can be quietly incorporated into mundane settings - or celebrated flamboyantly in our private spaces. Bring your own ideas and altar objects with you to this circle for discussion and sharing of ideas for Mabon and Samhain altars. Facilitated by Tamia.