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<\/a>After that, my primary duty was to greet visitors to the temple and help them to whatever degree they wished. Everyone entering the temple was asked to remove their shoes and cleanse themselves from a bowl of consecrated water at the door. Prayer cards were available at each of the shrines \u2013 some people used them, while others said their own prayers. I made sure there was whiskey available for offerings at each altar (I put two new bottles into service during my shift) and emptied the offering bowls as they were filled (there\u2019s a tree on the north side of the hotel that should be feeling really good for a long time!). Other than that, my job was to be present but unobtrusive.<\/p>\nSome people came in, made offerings, said a brief prayer, then left. Some made the rounds to all the altars. Many sat or knelt in front of the Shrine of the Great Queen in silent meditation and contemplation, some for as long as a half hour. Some were moved to tears \u2013 the Morrigan wasn\u2019t just present, She was actively communicating with Her followers.<\/p>\n
A few people came looking for a refuge from the loud and often discordant energies of the con. The temple was perhaps the most tightly warded room in the whole hotel \u2013 word got around it was a safe and clean space. I quickly re-learned what I\u2019ve been taught about spiritual leadership \u2013 sometimes the only thing a priest can do is to simply be with someone as they\u2019re suffering, to offer a comforting hand and be an unanxious presence while they work through what they have to work through.<\/p>\n
About half the time the temple was empty (of visitors, anyway). Other than the few minutes required to tend to the offerings (and take the pictures shown here), I just sat in contemplation of the shrines and the Gods within them. They weren\u2019t talking to me, but Their presence was clear and powerful and I felt honored, humbled, and strengthened to spend that time with Them. I didn\u2019t notice it at the time, but when I think about it now, I\u2019m shocked at how focused my concentration was. My mind didn\u2019t wander to my presentation that afternoon, or what I was going to have for lunch, or what was going on back in Texas. I was in the presence of the Gods and ancestors, it was good, and it was enough.<\/p>\n
It occurred to me that this is what it would be like to serve as a priest in a living, active temple \u2013 what our ancient ancestors did, and what we may do at some point in the future. The duties are relatively simple: tend to the mundane needs of the temple, honor and feed the Gods and spirits, serve as an example and reference for worshippers who may not know how to what they\u2019re called to do, and provide care and guidance as requested. This is holy work and I\u2019m honored to be able to do it, even if the temple only exists in the physical realm for a short time.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, time seemed to run differently inside the temple. When something was happening time seemed to slow down, as if to make sure everything that needed to be done was done properly. When I was alone in the temple, time seemed to fly \u2013 just the opposite of what usually happens when you\u2019ve got no outside entertainment or stimulation. Sacred space indeed.<\/p>\n
I am extremely thankful to the Coru for making this temple a reality, to their patrons who supported it financially, to the Gods, ancestors, and spirits who inhabited it, and to the worshippers and visitors who participated in its daily activities. It was an honor and a joy to serve as a priest of this temple.<\/p>\n
It is my fervent desire that other groups will create similar temples at Pantheacon and other gatherings, so many others can have the experience of worshipping and communing in a physical temple, and of serving as a temple priest.<\/p>\n
![\"Temple](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/243\/2016\/02\/Temple-of-the-Morrigan-2016-09.jpg\")
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<\/a>Most activities\u00a0at Pantheacon are offerings to the Pagan community, given freely by teachers, elders, priests, and patrons. Every time you walk into a workshop, ritual, concert, or hospitality suite, someone is there who\u2019s working: they\u2019re giving so you can receive. Giving a presentation may require many hours of preparation, but it takes the same amount of time to give as to receive. Staffing an on-going facility, though, requires constant attention \u2013 you can\u2019t have a hospitality suite unless someone is there every minute it\u2019s open.<\/p>\n