Litha Micro-Retreat: Earth, Plants & Living Systems

Name: Litha Micro-Retreat: Earth, Plants & Living Systems
Start: 2026-06-14T10:00:00-04:00
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville (UUFG)

Schedule

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville (UUFG) | Gainesville, FL

We're celebrating the summer solstice a little early this year, and we'd love for you to join us. Litha is a Pagan celebration of the solstice, marking both the longest day of the year and the first day of summer. In Florida that means storms, serious heat, and a green world with a lot going on.
We just came through Beltane, through fire and heat and everything surging forward at once. Litha is what comes next on the Wheel. This is the season to take stock of what's growing, learn what it's actually for, and find new ways to bring it into your practice and your kitchen.
Sacred Oak CUUPS is offering a micro-retreat: a low-key day of workshops built around plants, folk medicine, and living seasonally in the place we actually live. Workshops cover houseplants as spiritual practice, permaculture and the sabbat cycle, fire cider as folk and magic, the metaphysical properties of plants, and herbal teas you can actually taste and compare. Two blocks run through the day with the UU worship service and a coffee social in between. Each block offers two or three workshops running at the same time. Pick the one that calls to you, then choose again for the afternoon. No experience needed with plants, magic, or us.
Morning Block — Living Ecology
10:00–11:00 AM (Choose one)
Houseplants as a Spiritual Practice
Led by Heather; Plant Enthusiast
When we think of plants in pagan practice, we usually think of herbalism, kitchen witchery, or specific herbs for spell work. But what about the plants we actually share our space with? Come talk about the simple joy of the humble pothos and spider plant. We will discuss how the everyday houseplant connects us to our practice in ways we tend to overlook.
Sacred Cycles: Living the Wheel Through Permaculture
Led by Sarah; Local Permaculturist
Stop following a calendar meant for another climate and start listening to the land you're on. A grounded look at mapping the eight sabbats across the practical framework of permaculture, which is rooted in the rhythms of North Central Florida (Zone 8b). This workshop is for anyone who wants a vocabulary for responding to our local seasons with intention.
Midday — Service & Social
11:00 AM–12:00 PM Litha themed worship service 11:00-12:00PM
Afternoon Block — Hands-On & Sensory
12:30–1:30 PM (Choose one)
Fire Cider: Folk Medicine, Folk Magic
Led by Katelin; Kitchen witch
Vinegar is one of the oldest magical substances we have. We will explore what happens when something sweet is allowed to sour and become something with teeth. Fire cider is transformation in a jar, and it has quietly kept people alive through hard winters for centuries.
In this hands-on hour, we'll build our own jars together. We'll cover the history of Fire cider, discover how each ingredient works as both herbal ally and magical actor, and how to charge and set intention with your jar. You'll also leave knowing how to use it daily, and bring it into your magical practice.
All ingredients and materials will be provided but please bring an apron, knife, and a cutting board. Your jar will be ready to strain in four to six weeks.
Metaphysical Properties and Uses of Plants
Led by Elena; Folk Herbalist
Join Elena for a 60- minute conversation about the metaphysical properties, uses of plants for protection, cleansing, and manifestation. We will discuss symbolism, cultural awareness and context, methods of application (smoking blends, mojo bags, baths, etc), and recommended reading.
White votive candles will be provided along with herbs and oils to dress a candle for your own purposes.
Tea-se Your Tastebuds
Led by Deborah; Tea Enthusiast
Come taste a variety of herbal teas, some to pep you up, some to calm you down. Try them hot and cold, share what you notice, and see if you find a new favorite.