Religulous On DVD

Today, Bill Maher's masterful film, Religulous comes out.

Bill Maher's wit has a bite to it, and one of his favorite targets is any form of organized religion.

From the back cover of the DVD, ""In this new comedy from director Larry Charles (Borat, "Seinfeld"), comedian and TV host Bill Maher ("Real Time with Bill Maher","Politically Incorrect") takes a pilgrimage across the glode on a mind-opening journey into the ultimate taboo: questioning religion. Meeting the high and low from different religions, Maher simply asks questions, like "Why is faith good?" "Why doesn't an all-powerful God speak to us directly?" and "How can otherwise rational people believe in a talking snake?" For anyone who's even a little spiritually curious, this divine entertainment will deepen your faith....in comedy!""

The special features of the DVD are: commetary with Bill Maher and director Larry Charles, Deleted Scenes, and Bill Maher's monologues from around the world.

I really like this movie, and saw it a few times in the theaters, including opening night at The Orleans Casino.

I think that this move should be shown in the schools to combat the strangle hold that the extreme right -wing has the school districts in this nation. There goal is to force their perverted version of Christianity.

Religulous will be shown by The Agrave Spirit Grove at Las Vegas' Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday, Febuary 22, at 1pm. There will be a discussion following the movie. My bet will be it going to be lively one.

I hope you all enjoy Religulous, and please leave me a comment if you seen the movie or have a view on it.

Celebration of Candlemas or Imbolc

Tonight, I went to the public ritual run by Agrave Spirit Grove. This is the second time I have attended with this group.

We started with a pot luck dinner and fellowship. I brought some breaded and spicy chicken wings, and bag of rainbow chip cookies.

One of the members made an all natural lemonade that was just super delightful.

I also started to lay the ground work for some friendships and Pagan / Witch contacts in the greater Las Vegas area. I'm really thinking hard about formally joining this group.

The ritual itself was run by High Priestess Shannon, and High Priest Brian. Although I'm not sure they would use or be comfortable with the terms.

I found the ritual to be very enlightening, moving, and positive. As winter gives way to spring we try to set free the negative things in out lives. Also the ember of Yule is now the flame of Candlemas, that will light our path and guide us till Samhain.

It hard to talk about rituals, by tradition they should only be for the members and other who visiting or invited to the event. I try to follow the old ways of the craft of the wise as much as possible. In this case is one of the area I depart for them.

I'll share the words to a few chants. Mainly because they are a very moving part of the ritual for me, and they are already in the public domain, I suspect.

Air I am
"Air I am, Fire I am, Water, Earth, and Spirit I am."

Between The Worlds
"We are in a place, that is not a place. We are in a space that is not a place. We are in a time, that is not a time. We are everywhere, and nowhere at all. We open up ours minds, so that we are free. Open the third eye, so that we can see. Open up and be, free in our rites. Open up and be, ready to receive. The ciricle has been cast, we between the worlds."

(Ways) To Celebrate (Candlemas) / Imbolc Today . . .

By www.chalicecentre.net/imbolc.htm

This is traditionally a time of purification — clean your house! If you have any Christmas greenery lingering, burn it now.

Make your own Brighid’s crosses and hang them up, especially in the kitchen where her influence can bless your food.

Put out food — cake, buttered bread and milk will do — outside your door: Brighid and her cow walk through the neighborhood tonight, and will appreciate your offering.

Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: It can then be used for healing purposes.

Meditate upon what you would like to see grow in health and strength this year: for yourself, your family, your community, the Earth, and ask for Bride's blessing upon your prayers.

Yule With Agrave Spirit Grove

First, a most Blessed Yule to my friends of all Pagan paths

For ritual tonight, I attended one held by Agrave Spirit Grove. They are a group of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans serving Las Vegas and all of Southern Nevada.

Before ritual we had a potluck dinner, I had gotten some rotisserie chickens and some fried chicken wings to share with the group. had some time to talk and meet other members, including the president, and some board members.

I really liked as part of the casting the circle; a poem by Susan Morris was read," We are in a palce that is not a place. We are in a space that is not a space. We are in a time that is not a time. We 0pen up our minds, so that we are free. Open the third eye, so that we can see. Open up and be free in our rites. Open up and be ready to receive. The circle has been cast, we are between the worlds."

The other part that sticks out in my mind was this," May the spirit of Yule remain with us all. For the entire turning of the wheel. May our obstacles and snares vanish. May our seeds take root and flourish. May we each be blessed by the Spirit."

I really enjoyed myself. great energy and people with such sweet spirits. You just can't beat a circle that has padded seats.

I am and will always be loyal to The Pagan and Witches Community Circle, and its High Priestess, Lily. Agrave Spirit Grove is a group I want to spend some time with as well. I like them both.

Vision statements:

1) a growing and thriving Agrave Spirit Grove, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas, Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and Unitarian Universalist Association.

2) a Southern Nevada where Pagans interrelate and experience community together in worship and public service.

3) a global Pagan movement where Pagans are supported as they experience their faith and spirituality.

4) a world of radical hospitality in which all religions flourish together in harmony.

Mission Statement:

To provide an open, accepting environment for the exploration of Pagan paths and to serve the greater Pagan community, upholding the principals of the Unitarian Universalist Assocation in all our endeavors.

For more information please visit, http://www.agravespiritgrove.org/

Love & Light