by manaphoto-stock on deviant art<\/a>
used with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>What to even write? \u00a0I feel as if it\u2019s almost impossible to describe in words what I experienced at Heartland Pagan Festival this past weekend. \u00a0It was my first big Pagan festival, the first time I\u2019d gathered together with more than 40 people who self-identified somewhere under the Pagan umbrella. \u00a0The atmosphere of such a place \u2013 a place where I could be who I was without any reservations, without pausing to assess the possible ramifications of my words about spirituality or religion. \u00a0A place where I could just dig in and discuss topics with anyone, where open-mindedness and acceptance were the rule rather than the exception. \u00a0It was an intensely validating experience.<\/p>\n
First, I\u2019d like to take a moment to say how amazing the Gaea Youth program was. \u00a0I had my seven year old daughter with me, and I can count on one hand the amount of times she complained of being bored \u2013 a monumental feat that I\u2019m not sure has ever happened before! \u00a0Every hour of workshop space was also filled with an activity or craft for the children, each day had the theme of a separate culture, and each activity was well-designed and well-executed. \u00a0The volunteers at the Gaea Youth tent were amazing, and I couldn\u2019t be more appreciative of their hard work both before, during, and after the festival.<\/p>\n
Friday, I attended T. Thorn Coyle\u2019s\u00a0Practical<\/em>\u00a0Magic<\/em> workshop, and I was so impressed by her. \u00a0I was aware of her of course, as a follower of the general Pagan blogosphere, but I must admit I hadn\u2019t taken the time to follow or read much of her work. \u00a0The workshop focused on manifesting what we desire, and as a person with some background in the Golden Dawn and high magic, I found her paradigm built on Eliphas Levi\u2019s work to be familiar and yet highly innovative in a very compelling way. \u00a0I also was lucky to attend a workshop by local Nebraska Pagan Kalisara,\u00a0Embracing the Dark.<\/em> \u00a0It set a bit of a theme for the weekend for me \u2013 learning to embrace and work with my many flaws rather than trying to discount them, fix them, or push them aside.<\/p>\nThat night, my friend and my daughter and I had the privilege to listen to Ginger Doss and Lynda Millard in concert, which was inspiring. \u00a0I must admit that I\u2019ve never been a big Pagan music listener; but experiencing it live has given it a remarkable magic for me that returns even as I listen to the CD here at home. \u00a0Afterwards, the bonfire started \u2013 and oh, what a fire it was. \u00a0I have always felt a magic in music and dance, and experiencing that magic in a place with hundreds of people dancing and drumming and purposefully raising that energy was transformative. \u00a0That dance still flickers within me like a flame that will not go out. \u00a0It was a flame I sorely needed, an energy and a life that my spirit desperately wanted to be filled back up after recent months that have been so draining for me personally.<\/p>\n
Saturday morning, we woke up early \u2013 the perils of camping with a little one! \u00a0My daughter and I made time to sneak off to one of the fairy circles, sacred spaces that are scattered all around Camp Gaea, and perform our daily devotionals. \u00a0Even this simple, everyday exercise was so different in this new land, this place where the land spirits are regularly recognized and offered to, where the Gods are called on and hailed. \u00a0Afterwards, I attended a morning meditation led by Daniel Scharpenburg, that provided some necessary silence and centering after such intense feelings I experienced the night before and in the fairy circle that morning.<\/p>\n
That afternoon, Kalisara presented another wonderful workshop entitled\u00a0Introverts and Energy<\/em>, which was so fascinating and also very helpful. \u00a0I am very much an introvert that pretends to be an extrovert \u2013 I put myself out into the community in a way that can be very draining at times. \u00a0In this collaborative workshop, many great ideas for refilling that well of energy were presented; my personal favorite was creating a space that is yours and yours alone to use as an energy sink, where you can go and recharge much more quickly.<\/p>\nAfterwards, I attended Thorn\u2019s second workshop,\u00a0On Leadership<\/em>. \u00a0As one of my local communities approaches a crossroads as one leader steps aside, I find myself working to improve as a leader so that my roles and efforts in the various groups I am a part of can be more helpful and effective; Thorn\u2019s workshop focused on the Pentacle of Leadership and was so helpful in identifying areas in which I could improve.<\/p>\nSaturday night, SJ Tucker played a wonderful, magical concert. \u00a0Unfortunately, the rain also began pouring down about this time (despite liberal offerings to Thunor the morning we left)! \u00a0There was no bonfire that night for the main ritual, but it was still so intense with elaborate costuming and a beautiful chant. \u00a0I received a token, a message from the Gods, telling me to remain strong and true to who I was. Not to be deterred by the rain, the drummers and dancers gathered under the pavilion to make merry after the ritual. \u00a0It was another very powerful night, the beat of the drums and the movement of the dancers merging into my spirit.<\/p>\n
In Part Two of this series, I\u2019ll talk about my experience Sunday, including my own presentation and ritual!<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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