Workshop 21: Neo-Paganism: The Sacredness of Creation

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building Bridges, Grades 8-9: A World Religions Program

In This Section

Introduction
From Building Bridges

When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means [they] follow[s] an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers….
Spiritual Preparation
From Building Bridges

Spend time communing with nature to prepare for today’s workshop. Is there a place outdoors that helps you feel renewed and strong? Go to that place. Focus on the journey before you and seek the strength you need to lead the workshop.
Welcoming and Entering
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, On the Altar Drawing paper and pencils, pens, and/or color markers Preparation for Activity Make and post a newsprint sign with this question: “What makes a good altar?” Place a few copies of Leader Resource 1, On the Altar, o…
Opening
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 2, Paganism Background Preparation for Activity Read Leader Resource 2, Paganism Background so you will be comfortable presenting it. Post a blank…
Activity 1: Find the Pagan
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Pagan Beliefs? Pencils and red pens Newsprint with questions about Paganism generated in Opening) Preparation for Activity Copy the handout for all participants. Set red pens and black pens on work tables for youth to share….
Activity 2: Wicca
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Share background about the Wiccan religion, in these words or your own: Gerald Gardner, an Englishman, is often credited as the father of the modern Wiccan religion….
Activity 3: Neo-Pagans
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Apples for all participants Knives Preparation for Activity Gather a few knives for youth to share. Knives only need to be sharp enough to cut the apples. If you are concerned, provide only one knife and plan to monitor its use. Description of…
Activity 4: Story - The Goddess and the God
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Goddess and the God” Leader Resource 3, Wheel of the Year Handout 2, Lyrics – Chant for the Seasons Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook A copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to Singing the…
Activity 5: Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 3, Neo-Paganism and Wicca Fact Sheet Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 3 for all participants. Description of Activity Youth receive a fact sheet on Pagans to take home. Distribute Handout 3, Neo-Paganism and Wicca Fact Sheet. Review it…
Activity 6: Time Line
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Religions Time Line (Workshop 1) Sticky notes and fine-point markers World map or globe Preparation for Activity Display the Religions Time Line. Create a sticky note saying “Paganism, Indigenous,” one saying “Wicca, 1959,” and another saying…
Closing
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Taking It Home handout Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Download, adapt, and copy Taking It Home for all participants. Optional: Write the closing words on…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building Bridges

Review today’s workshop with your co-leader. Did the participants engage the subject with respect? Did they accept Paganism as a true religion? If you invited a visitor, did the group treat the guest respectfully? The next workshop is the closing workshop. If you wish to give gifts to youth, make…
Faith In Action: Community Clean-up
From Building Bridges

Materials for Activity Optional: Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook or copies of Handout 2, Lyrics — Chant for the Seasons Preparation for Activity Research possible clean-up opportunities to present to the group. Optional: Make this activity…
Alternate Activity 1: Engagement
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 90 minutes Preparation for Activity If your congregation has a CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) chapter, contact that group….
Alternate Activity 2: Tree of Life
From Building Bridges

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 4, Celtic Tree Art Art paper and other materials, such as pencils and color pencils, markers, and pastels Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Prepare work tables for participants to use the art materials you have…
Taking It Home: Neo-Paganism: The Sacredness of Creation
From Building Bridges

When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers….
The Goddess and the God
From Building Bridges

The Catanna website published by Catresea Ann Canivan was a source for this story and offers deep information about Paganism. Come with me on a journey—a journey that is as old as time itself. Repeated so often, the earth knows the rhythm and follows it, like a cosmic dance. First steps of the…
Handout 1: Pagan Beliefs
From Building Bridges

Circle in red the beliefs that are commonly held among most Pagan sects. Circle in pencil beliefs held by some sects, though not universally. It is important to keep our lives balanced. Female qualities and male qualities should be balanced. Neither is more important than the other. They are both…
Handout 2: Lyrics - Chant for the Seasons
From Building Bridges

Hymn 78 in Singing the Living Tradition; words by Mark Belletini; musical arrangement by Grace Lewis McLauren.Summertime has turned the starwheel, autumn is upon us. Sweet the angling sun, sweet upon the air the smell of blue mist rising. Summertime has turned the starwheel, autumn is upon us.
Handout 3: Neo-Paganism and Wicca Fact Sheet
From Building Bridges

Emerged: Neo Paganism is based on what is assumed to be ancient, indigenous religions, but modern day Wicca is dated as beginning in 1959 and the current Neo-Paganism movement can be dated to the founding of the Church of All Worlds and Feraferia in 1967….
Leader Resource 1: On the Altar
From Building Bridges

Chalice Candles Altar cloth Water Cell phone Hymnbook Bowl of soil Incense Photographs of family and friends Feather Money Photographs of the sick or others in need of prayer or attention Bowl of snacks Bread for a Bread Communion Beautiful stones Writing paper and pens Mementos from deceased fam…
Leader Resource 2: Paganism Background
From Building Bridges

“Pagan” comes from the Latin word “paganus.” Its original meaning is not clear….
Leader Resource 3: Wheel of the Year
From Building Bridges

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 4: Celtic Tree Art
From Building Bridges

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Building Bridges

The Witches’ Voice is a Pagan news and networking site, a resource for finding local Pagan groups. A nice site for basic information is A Rainbow of Spirituality. Llewellyn Publications is probably the most famous publisher of books about magic and Paganism. One popular one is Paganism: An…