Pagan

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Terrors of Irish Fairylore,”** an introduction to Ireland’s strange and unsettling folkloric “Good People,” with Brittany Warman, former instructor at Ohio State University, co-founder of The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic, and co-author of the new book *Fairylore: A Compendium of the Fae Folk.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-terrors-of-irish-fairlylore2](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-terrors-of-irish-fairlylore2) .] Today it is common to think of fairies as small, childlike, sparkly creatures with glittering wings and dresses made from flower petals. But the fae of traditional Irish folklore were no such things. Amoral, capricious, even malicious when they chose to be, the too-frequently forgotten fairies of times long past would, more often than not, haunt nightmares. Join Brittany Warman, a folklorist who has earned a devoted following among Profs and Pints fans, as she explores the darker side of Irish fairylore. The figures she'll discuss include: The Leanan-Sidhe, a vampiric fairy who gives artistic inspiration in exchange for your mortal spirit. The Dullahan, a fairy with a human spine for a whip and a habit of hurtling across fields in a death coach made from human skin. The Banshee, a mournful fairy whose cry signals a death in the family to which she's attached herself. Dr. Warman also will examine the surprising impact of fairy folklore on two classics of Irish Gothic literature, Oscar Wilde's *The Picture of Dorian Gray* and Bram Stoker's *Dracula.* It’s a talk that will remind you that the relationship between the Irish and the spooky stretches well beyond Halloween. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: “The Banshee Appears,” an 1862 illustration by Robert Prowse (Wicklow Heritage / Public domain).

If you're looking for a casual game of chess in a fun atmosphere, this event is for you! Members range from beginner to expert level, and games are played both with and without time controls. They meet upstairs, on the mezzanine. Upon arrival, fill out a name tag and indicate your relative skill, to help facilitate match-ups. Club sets are available, though members are welcome to bring their own as well. They don't have club clocks, but most people use the Chess Clock app from Chess.com to play timed games. More info at https://www.meetup.com/chess-on-tap/ Hosts: Leith W. and Ryan C.

Everyone, please join us on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. to discuss [The Screwtape Letters](https://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis-ebook/dp/B002BD2V2Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0) by [C.S. Lewis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis)\. \| 222pp\. This timeless classic recounting the correspondence between two devils is one of Lewis’s most brilliant imaginative creations and has sold millions of copies worldwide. “My Dear Wormwood...."? Enter Screwtape, an experienced devil. His nephew Wormwood is just at the start of his career as a tempter and has been assigned to secure the damnation of an ordinary young man who has just become a Christian.? In this slyly humorous exchange, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good and evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. This is a book for C. S. Lewis fans and anyone who wants to take a deep dive into what it means to be a human. Lewis uses The Screwtape Letters to convey religious concepts like temptation in an understandable way by exploring free will and how it is humanity’s greatest weakness as well as its greatest strength. Our meetings have a $3 fee, purely to offset the cost of Meetup. This can be paid via Venmo, Paypal, or in cash. We do not accept requests from authors to read their books. We will never ask for money beyond the above fee. If you receive offers purporting to come from the club they are part of an online scam.

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

Class: Developing Your Intuitive/Energy Skills Contents: Clearings, empath work, meditation, learning and enhancing energy work skills for working on self and others For further information, please contact Madhu 301-760-7491, info@stress-reliefcenter.com

**Join us for quiet and simple practice, grounded in community. Suitable for beginners. We sit in chairs for 10 and 20 minutes and do 5 minutes of walking meditation. Followed by tea and a poem shared. We start and end on time. Join us!** **Who we are** We meet weekly since 2024. We typically gather with 6-12 of us for seated and walking Zen meditation. Brief meditation instruction offered at the beginning. **What we do** **Mondays 4:30-5:30 pm**: We do 10 minutes of meditation, then 5 minutes walking meditation, then 20 minutes of silent meditation. We end with 15 minutes of conversation, poetry, tea and snacks before heading home. No obligation; come try it!

This is our 3rd Sunday ritual with a pot luck immediately afterwards. MoonFire holds ritual the 3rd Sunday of every month at the UU Church of Arlington, VA, starting at 12 PM with a pre-ritual briefing. Plan to arrive a little early so you can meet folks and get settled in. Rituals are usually followed by a potluck. We welcome everyone. If you are wondering whether to bring children, are new to Paganism, or plan to take pictures or write about our ritual, let us know ahead of time.

\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm. Additionally, space is limited to the first 35 attendees. Your RSVP here does not guarantee you a spot and tickets are available first come, first served. \*\*\* Donations are appreciated, and the average donation is generally $20, but all are welcome regardless of means! A portion of all proceeds will help fund the Crystal Ashram non-profit project where the Human Activation School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. A unique musical experience called a "Sound Bath" Sound bath! What's that? According to sonic specialist Monte Hansen from Annapolis MD, "A sound bath is an immersion in sound frequency that cleans your soul." Leave your rubber ducky at home. Bring your blankey instead, for this super relaxing immersion! According to cutting-edge doctors from Harvard, some of the deepest most profound healing in the body are accomplished with sound frequency. That's old news though. A 2nd century stone relief in the Himalayan mountains shows us that Buddha and his entourage knew this before Christ walked the earth. The stone relief depicts the Buddha and his buddies playing ancient Tibetan singing bowls. A sound frequency specialist from the [Human Activation School](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=d6674b4603&e=465ba11f44), will be playing several of these rare Singing Bowls, some of which are over 200 years old. A magical alchemy of 7-12 different metals rings in the past, present, and future for our relaxing enchantment. Even modern doctors are using these old metal bowls for healing, and they are not practicing Buddhists! As a matter of fact, modern Buddhists no longer use the bowls in their practice. Come experience these gifts from the past in this NON-religious practice of our present. Come be rejuvenated or just captivated by this unique musical performance. Bring your pillows, blankeys, and yoga mats and snuggle into the comfort of the tranquil sounds. Feel free to sit, lay, or even stand! ***Did You Know?*** Singing bowls invite the mind and body into a tranquil state of being in which remarkable healing can occur, events that are unexplainable from a conventional biomedical perspective” *Music and the Meditative Mind: Toward the Science of the Ineffable*[Source](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=9222616fc4&e=465ba11f44) "The sound bath meditation provides a nurturing space to connect and grow spiritually. The group atmosphere is welcoming and fun, and the meditation work is soothing and enriching. Loved it!"**-Cara** 7:00 pm - Meditation Reception\*\*\*Meditation in our sacred space will begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Please refrain from entering after 7:15 pm.\*\*\* 7:15 - Doors Close & Meditation Begins 8:15 - Meditation Ends, Followed by Community Reflection \*Please be respectful of Sticks and Stones employees and their instructions upon entering and exiting the space for the meditation\* A portion of all proceeds will help fund the [Crystal Ashram](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=11664c3011&e=465ba11f44) non-profit project where the [Human Activation](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=41699e76d8&e=465ba11f44) School of Expanded Consciousness will be located. Community sharing and engagement following after the meditation Questions? Please email [robert@humanactivation.com](mailto:robert@humanactivation.com) or visit [crystalashram.com](https://humanactivation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d88b4fea1b0f4ceaeb58f0e82&id=7d92f9b8f7&e=465ba11f44)\. \|

Interested in meeting new people, discussing and/or learning some of the old lore? Do you have a craft project you are working on? Perhaps a spiritual craft, a coloring book, or a new favorite sweater??? If so, this is for you! We have been discussing the Maria Kvilhaug books of late. Feel free to bring your own ideas. Come join us for a few hours for crafts and discussion. Topics are not predetermined; however we have been discussing Seiðr (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sei%C3%B0r), writing alliterative verse, knitting, carving, painting, and fashioning ritual tools. You can come and meet people and share knowledge of your own craft! We plan on meeting the second Wednesday of every month. This is a very laid back event where you can meet or talk with between 4 - 8 other like-minded souls.

Do you have goals focusing on your health this year? In this group, be de-influenced by internet trends and companies making a quick buck and join fellow pagans, witches, and heathens in creating practices that build your connection to your body and wellness. **The focus of this group:** -Share on your own experiences with health topics, whether that is food wellness, strength building, mobility training, and coordinating group walks and physical activities. -Lean into our spiritual practice as a tool in manifesting our health goals. -Mindfulness activities that can improve your body-spirit connection. -Share your own thoughts and struggles in an advice-centered and solutions oriented space that is respectful, intentional, and empathetic. Have you heard about a new trend you want real life opinions on? Are you looking for strategies **About your facilitator:** Merlin is a local practitioner in Massage Therapy, Reiki, Group Fitness, and is interested in all around wellness. He has focused on his own health and wellness over many years and recognizes how much supportive community and intentional self-love is for finding value in a health journey. If you are seeking a supportive community with the intention of bravely sharing, being heard, and being present with others, please join us!

This is a regularly held in-person integration circle and a supportive container that centered on psychedelic experiences. We co-create a space of inclusivity, compassion, and care for all. We gather to help each other integrate our journeys, find "the others", and or seek wisdom about altered states of consciousness. Arrive ready to share honestly, openly, and from the heart. Bring your insights from journeys to unpack or your questions about plant medicines and psychedelic experiences to ask the more experienced journeyers. At 7 pm we will do a short grounding exercise and a brief check-in/ice breaker. At 7:15 pm we will begin the integration circle with honest and open processing of psychedelic experiences. Your facilitators are trained in psychedelic integration and or other coaching/facilitation modalities but we are not mental health professionals, we are community members called to service in mutuality. The event is by donation as we do need to pay for the space and supplies used. The suggested donation is $10-$20/person (cash, Paypal or Venmo). Surplus above and beyond covering costs will go towards future community event facilitation and or materials.

* Discover a way to connect with the healing current of Spirit * You’ll find stories, inspiration, techniques, and more in this [e-booklet](https://www.eckankar.org/ebooklets/) Join us for this exciting and uplifting ECKANKAR Soul Adventure session. * You will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and insights with other like-hearted individuals. * People of all faiths are warmly welcome; feel free to invite friends and family. The program will be presented at our location in Silver Spring and streamed on Zoom. Easy ways to participate! **IN-PERSON** : Maryland ECK Center, 1738 Elton Rd #104, Silver Spring, MD 20903 **Virtual participation via ZOOM** [Eckankar Soul Adventure e-booklet](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89572123209?pwd=iebd5ZaTKmpYq3l80LYF1KXwjfbYB4.1) Meeting ID: 895 7212 3209 Passcode: 559017 Dial-In: 301-715-8592 or join the **Baltimore ECK Community** at Ruscombe Mansion 4801 Yellowwood Ave Baltimore, MD 20903 **For more information:** **Call/Text: (301) 439-2120** **[BEC@eckankarmaryland.org](mailto:BEC@eckankarmaryland.org)**

Namaste and Blessings! We welcome you to join us for a House Kirtan Concert on **Sunday May 17** in **Silver Spring MD** (address below) \*\*\*4:00 - 6:00 pm. (\*\*\**mask optional)* ***We chant the Hanuman Chalisa at 4 pm – after which there is a break and regular chanting begins at 4:30 pm*** \~\~***Doors open at 3:45 pm - come early to get settled*** \~\~ **Please note:** This kirtan will be live-streamed using **Facebook Live** on this page: Bhakti Chant Kirtan (from 4 to 6 pm) **So about kirtan in Silver Spring** \- this is a private residence \- open to the public \- all are welcome \- bring a friend\, the family\, the kids\, the parents\, the spouse \- comfortable setting\. If you want to sit on the floor, it might be wise to bring something to sit on - Zafu or pillow or the like. *This is chanting with meditation* \- we chant in Sanskrit and English\, mantras and bhajans\, honoring the many aspects of the Divine\. ***Feel free to bring a percussion instrument***, if you are moved to do so. (This will be percussion by committee!) 
***Donation***: Suggested $10-20 (no one turned away) **On Paypal:** [paypal.me/RufusJuskus](http://paypal.me/RufusJuskus) **On Venmo**: Rufus-Juskus \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Snacks afterwards!** 

Many thanks -- peace and blessings to all! -Rufus Juskus **Address:** **9516 Pin Oak Drive** **Silver Spring MD 20910** The event page for this event on Facebook is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dpw3ZrSUe/

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

**Talk Description** Coming soon **Agenda:** 7:00pm - Opening announcements 7:10pm - Main Topic 7:50pm - Q&A

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

We are excited to host Guided Meditations on Sundays at 6 pm in our Ashram/Gallery/Home! !! !! Everyone wants to know what kind of God we worship and what kind of meditation we do. We worship the GOD that LOVES US! We understand that god is an energy and it lives in us as us. Our meditations guide others to actually experience that energy! xoxo We don't just talk about peace, love and affection, we experience it :) Also we are a home not a business, so we enjoy building community one friend at a time. We always build in time for people to mingle & develop friendships! xoxo Much Love, Frank Tennyson Namaste, Frank Tennyson http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/9/9/600_447824953.jpeg