Chalica is a holiday celebrated by some

Unitarian Universalists Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth, guided by a ...

. It traditionally begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days, though a seven-week variant beginning in January is also observed.

History

Chalica was created as a holiday in 2005 by Daylene Marshall. While it has gained followers since, it is not a widely celebrated holiday.

Observance

On each of the seven nights (or weeks), a different principle of Unitarian Universalism is honored. On each day, a

chalice A chalice (from Latin 'mug', borrowed from Ancient Greek () 'cup') or goblet is a footed cup intended to hold a drink. In religious practice, a chalice is often used for drinking during a ceremony or may carry a certain symbolic meaning. Re ...

is ignited, the day's principle is read, and ways of honoring the principle are enacted, such as volunteering or donating to a social justice cause. There is no rule for how the chalice or display should look, but there are traditionally seven candles around the chalice, one for each principle. Activities on each day vary, and may include discussions, group activities, and songs.

Variations

To solve the problem of having only a single week in which to cram seven nonnominal deeds for the seven Unitarian Universalist principles, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green in Kentucky extends Chalica into a seven-week observance. Further, Chalica at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green starts on the first Sunday in January as an extension of the

New Year's resolution A New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise im ...

concept.

References

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External links

Chalica Facebook page

Chalica - Unitarian Winter Holiday
by founder Daylene Marshall December observances Unitarian Universalism Winter festivals Christian festivals and holy days