This page is a continuously growing record of topics covered in the discussions of The Moonrise Group.� The list is building in reverse order, with the most recent topics at the top and the oldest at the bottom. The group is open to suggestions, which can be sent by using the email link at the top and bottom of the page.

Our Next Topic:
Healing -- Various approaches to healing, related ethics, and a comparison of spiritual and physical damage and healing.

Shamanism -- We discussed the history, techniques, and general principals of Shamanism, including power animals, entry into the lower world, and two healing techniques. Afterwards, those who chose to took part in a brief, guided Journey.

Asatru -- We discussed the basics of the Asatru religion, such as dieties, practices, and mythology. We left with a greatly increased understanding of the Norse beliefs and the discovery that they share a great deal in common with other forms of paganism.

The History of Wicca -- We watched a documentary on the history of wicca. We then read article exploring the veracity of Gardner's claims and discussed its impact. Conversation shifted briefly to the widely accepted "experts" on the religion before moving on to Harry Potter and pagan music.

Runes -- We discussed the origins of runes, several runic alphabets, and their divinatory uses.

Personal Paths -- We explored the routes each of us have taken in exploring our beliefs, how we have set our priorities, and the obstacles we have encountered. Then we explored the relationship between science and magic, determining that the two are merely two different languages describing the same things; some things they agree upon, others simply don't translate. Eventually, we decided that both are two ways to explain the unexplainable, only within a different context.

Renaissance -- We examined the previous months' meetings, and decided we want the Moonrise Group to take a more active teaching role. We came up with solutions to problems we had encountered in earlier meetings, and discussed ways to improve the group in general. We decided that we would take turns sharing our knowledge with eachother, with each presentation followed by a discussion. Finally, we agreed to meet on a weekly basis.

Ceremony and Ritual -- After clarifying the difference between ritual and ceremony, each of us spoke briefly about those elements of a typical ritual that we did and did not use in our personal rites. Then we looked at how ritual might come out of a religion's myths and cultural narratives.

Tools and their Importance -- After sharing a few of our own ritual tools and why they were important to us, we examined the need for tools and how they impact our ability to raise power.

Sacred Strength and the Warrior Archetype -- After some discussion about different ways in which the warrior shows his/her face, we all became warriors ourselves when we began to vent our own frustrations over being forced to defend our faith to critics and doomsayers. We tried to discover the medicine for a warrior's wounds.

Magickal Energy -- We discovered that much of the energy flowing in our universes is the power of the sacred. This power may transcend those forms we perceive as deities, yet does not exactly qualify as a deity itself. Because we are all made up of this energy, we have the ability to use it for change, but not without repercussions.

Sacred Space and Objects -- After sharing the different types of spaces that feel sacred to each of us, we discovered that they all held one thing in common: an intrinsic feeling of divine presence. Though spaces and objects may vary from place to place, or person to person, they all are special because we make them so.

The Masculine -- Originally intended to be a discussion about the feminine, this discussion took another route. We discussed how the masculine is erroniously personified as a destructive and even evil scapegoat, and we explored some figures that represent the masculine in a positive, nuturing role.

Divination -- After reviewing the pros and cons of petitioning the University for recognition as an official organization, we decided to go ahead with that process.� Then we talked about the different forms of divination that we each prefer to use or rely on.� The conversation went toward a deeper understanding of Runes and we shared some of the psychic experiences that have crossed our paths.

Deity -- Our first topic was as a very profound experience.� We shared concepts of our god(s) and found them remarkably similar.� We talked about different theories that describe why the human mind reaches toward deity.� By the end, we all felt a greater connection to the sacred.

Genesis -- This was our first meeting during which we got more organized, defined our goals and outlined how we would function at future meetings.� We met each other and had lots of fun getting to know each other.� We also discussed our perceptions of the Clemson environment and how it might handle our presence on campus.

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