The Transcendent Magic of Nature

A New Course Offering by:

Course Outline

  • Section 1, Nature Magictransformation through study
    • Why important
      • Observational skills
      • Connection to energy/sacredness that permeates our world
      • Learning about a sense of physical place and belonging
      • Connection to nature helps mental and physical health (‘grounding’)
  • Merging Spirt Magic with Nature Magic
    • Mindfulness nature study/practices
    • Outdoor meditation/contemplation
    • Communicating with trees & plants
    • Identifying spirit animals/plants
  • Further Nature Magic
    • Animal tracking 
    • Medicinal plants
    • Harvesting/living from the land
  • Section 2, Intro to Transcendentalism
    • What it is: the idea that humans have [faculties/abilities] above and beyond the senses –  these can “transform” the senses and sensory experience and bring about a larger spiritual awareness [in all things], and its relationship and impact on UU magic
    • How Transcendentalists see the natural world
  • The inherent magic in transcendentalism 
    • Idea that spirit or divine energy is infused in humans and the natural world – bees and butterflies are just as sacred as conscrecated/holy objects in other religions; all life and natural objects have magical energy flowing through them
  • How we can follow and explore this practice here and at home
    • Spending time in nature just to be and observe
    • Contemplation (similar to meditation)
    • Reading for personal growth
    • Writing in journal or diary – or other way of recording reflective work
    • Discussion (can be debriefing in classes or prompts for home)
    • Taking social justice action in our communities 
  • Section 3, Introduction to Humanism 
    • Basic concepts, as with Transcendentalism
    • Similarities & differences between Humanism and Transcendentalism
    • How Humanists see the natural world
    • The inherent magic in Humanism
    • Practicing Humanist teachings
  • Section 4, Introduction to Neo-Paganism
    • Basic concepts of Paganism
    • Similarites and differences between Paganism, Humanism and Transcendentalism
    • How Pagans see the natural world
    • The inherent magic in Paganism
    • Practicing Pagan teachings

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