Paganism 101
A Unitarian Exploration of the New Paganism

By Louise Bunn

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Theme and Description

This nine-session introduction to “what Paganism is (and isn’t)” is both informative and participatory in its structure. Although the rituals are initially led by the course’s leader, as time passes they are performed by the participants. The emphasis for the participants is to receive a taste of Pagan practices and to know they can repeat and modify them if they wish. To this end, participants are provided with a “Book of Shadows” in which to record their reflections on the material in the course.

Goals for Participants

To understand the history – fact and fiction – of the contemporary Neo-Pagan movement;
To learn how to perform several rituals, including Salt Water Purification, circle-casting, and wand consecration;
To discover and make use of some of the common symbols and practices of Neo-Paganism, including the four elements and their corresponding symbols and object;
To become familiar with Pagan conceptions of the divine, including the Goddess and the Horned God.

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Age Range

Adult

Size of Group

Unspecified

Space Requirements

There should be plenty of space for participants to sit or stand facing each other in a circle, with room for movement within and outside the circle. Besides this, there should be room for four small tables to be placed outside the circle at each of the cardinal directions.

Number and Length of Sessions

9 sessions
Length: 2 1/2 hours

Leader Training

No special training is required although a background in Pagan spiritual practices is very helpful.

Leader Preparation

No specific amount of time is mentioned, however preparation requires gathering many diverse objects which might involve special effort.

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Strengths

Introduces participants to a range of spiritual practices and ideas with which they might otherwise not be familiar;
Based in the respect for self, others, community, and the search for truth that are inherent in many earth-based traditions;
Unusual and laudable for a Pagan publication in its specific discussion of non-dichotomous gender roles and environmentalism;
Encourages participants to explore the subject beyond the workshops through personal use of a “Book of Shadows.”

Limitations

Chants are used in each session, sheet music or other resource is provided for leaders who are not familiar with the tune.

Adaptability

Participants and leader(s) are encouraged to cooperate in using the curriculum flexibly, deciding which activities to use and which to omit.

Unitarian Universalist Values

Paganism 101 is implicitly and explicitly connected to the Unitarian Universalist Principles “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” and “acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth.” It also enables participants to draw from the sixth source named in the Principles: “spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.”

Reviewed on January 06, 2006

Unitarian Universalist Association
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