{"id":212,"date":"2011-09-25T21:29:00","date_gmt":"2011-09-25T21:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2011\/09\/obod-east-coast-gathering-2\/"},"modified":"2011-09-25T21:29:00","modified_gmt":"2011-09-25T21:29:00","slug":"obod-east-coast-gathering-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/johnbeckett\/2011\/09\/obod-east-coast-gathering-2.html","title":{"rendered":"OBOD East Coast Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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I\u2019m back from a wet but wonderful long weekend at the OBOD<\/a> East Coast Gathering<\/a> in Pennsylvania. We had rain, an Alban Elfed (Autumn Equinox) ritual, rain, Druid grade initiations, rain, Bardic grade initiations, rain, workshops by OBOD Modron Thea Worthington and Touchstone<\/i> Editor Penny Billington, rain, workshops by various other participants (I led the Daily Spiritual Practice workshop), rain, good food, rain, mead, and rain.<\/p>\n

Did I mention that it rained all day Friday? It\u2019s been so dry in Texas I\u2019ve forgotten what those days are like. <\/p>\n

This is the second year for the East Coast Gathering. Those who were there last year say it was 90 degrees and sunny the whole time. Apparently Texas isn\u2019t the only place with some fickle weather.<\/p>\n

As with the House of Danu Gorsedds I attended in 2009<\/a> and 2010<\/a>, this was a chance to spend a few days immersed in Druidry. The combination of rituals, workshops, fellowship and a beautiful natural setting were a great way to relax and see what Druidry can be.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve explained Paganism enough times I\u2019m pretty comfortable doing it as an \u201celevator speech,\u201d but at times I\u2019ve struggled to define Druidry. \u201cThe revival of ancient Celtic beliefs and practices, reimagined for the 21st century Western world\u201d is accurate, but doesn\u2019t really convey the depth and meaning Druidry has for me. Thea Worthington offered this definition that I really like: \u201cDruidry is the art of wild wisdom.\u201d It\u2019s the spirituality Nature teaches us, if only we\u2019ll slow down, go outside, and listen.<\/p>\n

The rain stopped on Saturday and by Saturday night we were able to have a Gorsedd around a roaring fire. The children (and a few adults) presented a condensed version of The Tale of Gwion Bach, followed by music, storytelling, and firespinning. Arthur Billington was amazing on the guitar \u2013 his knowledge of and skill with American folk and blues is outstanding.<\/p>\n

Special thanks to Lorraine Soria, who not only organized the event but also served as chief cook. She \u2013 and others \u2013 worked most of the weekend so the rest of us could go to workshops and socialize.\u00a0 I said it there and I\u2019ll say it again here:\u00a0 thank you, Lorraine. <\/p>\n

Thanks also to Lorraine and the other Druids for giving me a key part in the Druid grade initiations. If they had let me pick a part, that\u2019s the one I would have wanted. It was a honor to help bring three people into the Druid grade. It was also an honor to help bring nine people into the Bardic grade. May their studies and practice bring them greater wisdom, and may that wisdom bring them to greater service.<\/p>\n

The East Coast Druids are planning another gathering next year, from September 20 through 23. A lot can happen in a year, but it\u2019s on my calendar and I hope to be there again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Thea Worthington, a Druid from Texas, and Penny Billington<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m back from a wet but wonderful long weekend at the OBOD East Coast Gathering in Pennsylvania. We had rain, an Alban Elfed (Autumn Equinox) ritual, rain, Druid grade initiations, rain, Bardic grade initiations, rain, workshops by OBOD Modron Thea Worthington and Touchstone Editor Penny Billington, rain, workshops by various other participants (I led the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1129,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nOBOD East Coast Gathering<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I\u2019m back from a wet but wonderful long weekend at the OBOD East Coast Gathering in Pennsylvania. 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