Sorry it took me so long to write this up, but last Saturday (Sept 22) our CUUPs group participated in the PPD (Pagan Pride Day) 2007 (there are a few pics in the gallery). It was a pretty interesting event. There were rituals throughout the day (ok only 3, but we did one of them) and a couple of workshops.

Unforutnately (and I think this was because of location) it was not that well attended. We did havea few proselytizers though. One was wandering around with a "Jesus is Lord" (or some sentiment similar to that) on, while she was in the vendor area she had a big binder covering her shirt. I don't thin she was doing anything actiuvely, but it was about this time that someone came round and put tracts on all the cars (warning against the dangeers of devil worship). One must wonder if the two were related.... ;)

I was out and about today when I saw a Pagan Fertility Altar. Here it is:

Ok, so it's not really an Altar. It's a display at a store, but when I looked at it I thought, "Huh, that would make a great teaching tool."

If I were going to teach about Ostara, and the oft asked (by Christians) "What do eggs and rabbits have to do with the birth of Jesus?", I would point to that display and tell the tale of the rabbit who so loved Ostara that he layed eggs and painted them in Her honor and gave them as gifts to the other animals. Then I would go on to say that while when I first heard that tale it was supposed to be an ancient Pagan Myth, that later I found that most likely it was a tale created entirely by the Venerable Bede. A good tale none the less.

No, rabbits and eggs are just ancient fertility symbols.

The ritual went pretty well. There were a few stumbles, but over all not too bad. Next time we will probably run though it first. For Beltane we will be camping,. It is a group oversize....

I put up a picture of the alter we had, I think it looks pretty good... ;)

Well, it's finally here. The day our cuups group has it's Imbolc ritual. I didn't study it as much as I should have, being the high priest for the evening and all, but I'll do ok.

I have a thousand things to do before then though, so I must be off! ;)