Gaia Gathering—Canadian National Pagan Conference. A gathering of Canadian Pagan academics, leaders of groups, and serious activists that takes place in late May (over the Victoria Day weekend) to talk about Canada’s Pagan communities, activities, history, and challenges. It changes venues to a different part of Canada each year. Strong emphasis on presentation of academic papers and networking across Canada. Address: Gaia Gathering, P.O. Box 1937, Station Main, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5J7, Canada. E-mail: info@gaiagathering.ca.
A Gathering of Priestesses and Goddess Women. Held the third weekend in May, this annual gathering is sponsored by the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International (RCG-I) (see page 558). The festival takes place in Wisconsin Dell, Wisconsin, at a retreat center with heated cabins, lodge, and meals. There is an opportunity to network with women leaders in Wicca and women’s spirituality from around the country. Women-centered and Dianic paths are represented. You do not have to be a priestess to attend. There are rituals, workshops, and affinity groups on ritual, healing Earth magic, scholarship, the arts, and organizing. Address: RCG-I, P.O. Box 6677, Madison, WI 53716. Phone: 608-226-9998. E-mail: rcgiorg@aol.com.
The Gathering of the Tribes. A festival held in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia near Beltane since 1971. Sponsored by the Church and coven of Dynion Mwyn. The gathering is an opportunity to express religious freedom of choice and to honor the Old Ways of Spirit and Nature. Includes rituals, workshops by Pagan leaders, bardic and nightly drum circles, live music, dancing, and opportunities to enjoy nature and share what is sacred in your life. Cabins, tent camping, and RV spaces available. E-mail: dynionmwyn23@hotmail.com or moonpanther2004@yahoo.com.
Greening. A four-day gathering held over Memorial Day weekend at a campground in central Ohio, sponsored by the Pagan Community Council of Ohio (see page 553). The festival focuses on Neo-Paganism, Wicca, and Nature spirituality. There are vendors, workshops, rituals, music, entertainment, and activities for children. This is a camping festival; tents are required.
Heartland Pagan Festival. A five-day festival held over Memorial Day weekend, sponsored by the Heartland Spiritual Alliance (see page 537). Founded in 1986 and open to men, women, children, even pets. The festival features guest speakers, concerts, workshops, rituals of many traditions and styles, bonfires, a bardic circle, children’s activities, and a large eclectic merchant circle. Currently held on a 168-acre property, Camp Gaea (
www.campgaea.org), forty minutes west of Kansas City, Missouri. The festival averages one thousand people a year. Address: Heartland Spiritual Alliance, P.O. Box 3407, Kansas City, KS 66103. Phone: 816-807-2472.
The Mid-Atlantic Men’s Gathering—Spring Gathering. The Mid-Atlantic Men’s gathering happens on two weekends—one in the spring, and one in the fall. It is a camping retreat held at Four Quarters Farm in Pennsylvania (see page 533). “The gathering is for queer, gay, bisexual, straight, transgender, questioning and intersexual men who wish to promote a safe, supportive space in which men of different sexual orientations, faiths, heritages, ages, and occupations can come together, challenge themselves, and grow. It is an opportunity to explore male notions of spirituality, sexuality, intimacy, aging and gender expression.” Tents and sleeping bags are essential. Activities include Circles, workshops, fire circles, and drumming. This gathering has been around for almost twenty years.
Mid-Atlantic Pagan Alliance’s Annual Beltane. A three-day celebration held on the last full weekend of April. The gathering takes place in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest of south-central New Jersey. The MPA’s Beltane offers an eclectic mix of workshops ranging from beginner 101-type topics to more advanced subjects. Includes rituals, sweat lodges, bonfires, vendors, drumming, and a well thought out kids’ track. Fun events as well, including a recent Pagan Idol talent contest. A very family-friendly event. Address: MPA, P.O. Box 122, Beachwood, NJ 08722. Phone: 732-684-3950. E-mail: Info@midatlanticpaganalliance.org.
Moondance. A Pagan festival at Dragon Hills in Georgia held over Memorial Day weekend since 1991. Primitive camping. Includes rituals, music, classes, drumming, bonfires. Run by Linda Kerr. E-mail: murgen@faeriefaith.net.
Mountain Mayfest. A Beltane festival held the last weekend in April in Charlestown, West Virginia. The central theme of the gathering is the MayFest Village, an intentional community bound together in celebration of the Old Ways. There is a Maypole Dance, Balefire celebration, baby blessings, workshops, community feasts, and handfastings. The emphasis is on living the teachings of the Old Religion in a community context, Faery Magick, and working with the land. Accommodations include camping or rooms, hot showers, and meal options. The Festival has 150 to 200 attendees. Address: MayFest, c/o Foxwood, P.O. Box 5128, Laurel, MD 20726.
PaganFaire. An annual daylong spring equinox festival sponsored by SisterSpirit (see page 564) with crafts, workshops, a raffle, musical entertainment, and rituals. Address: SisterSpirit, P.O. Box 9246, Portland, OR 97207. Phone: 503-736-3297.
Paganstock. A music festival held every June in rural southwestern Michigan to support Pagan bands and artists. Pagan musicians, including Kellianna, Scott Helland, and Thirteen Winters have performed. There are Vendors, camping, and rituals for all ages to enjoy. “Open your heart and your mind and feel the magic of Paganstock.” Ethan Pulka is the festival organizer. Address: Paganstock, 41261 County Road 681, Bangor, MI 49013. Phone: 269-427-7470. E-mail: Paganbeergod@gmail.com.
Rites of Spring. One of the oldest and largest Pagan festivals in the country, sponsored by EarthSpirit (see page 529) and held (since 1979) during the week leading up to and including Memorial Day weekend on a private lake in western Massachusetts. Rites of Spring is an extended community of Pagans from all parts of the country and abroad, gathered to create and renew connections with each other and the Earth. This is a fabulous festival with rituals from many traditions, workshops, drumming, bonfires, music, discussions, rites of passage, and many activities for both adults and children. It is a beautiful site with cabins and many facilities, including swimming, boating, and hiking. A meal plan is available. Open to all Pagan paths as well as kindred spirits from other traditions. Send SASE to: EarthSpirit, P.O. Box 723, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Phone: 413-238-4240. E-mail: earthspirit@earthspirit.com.
Spring Mysteries Festival. For more than twenty years, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (see page 511) has sponsored this four-day re-creation of the Eleusinian Mysteries over Easter week (Thursday through Sunday), the ancient initiatory rites of classical Greek Paganism which were conducted in secrecy for over two thousand years. It takes place in a seaside setting. Rituals include a purification parade to the Sea, Lesser Mysteries Initiation, Greater Mysteries Initiation for those who have gone through the Lesser Mysteries in a prior year, and Rites of Passage for youngsters coming into adulthood. There are also discussions, workshops, classes, arts, crafts, networking, music, drumming, bardic circles, family activities, and a Pagan talent show. Heated dorms, showers, and meals. Send a SASE to: Aquarian Tabernacle Church—SMF, P.O. Box 409, Index, WA 98256. Phone: 360-793-1945. E-mail: atc@AquaTabCh.org.
The Weaving Community Symposium. A daylong educational, spiritual, and networking event hosted yearly by the Iowa Pagan Access Network (IPAN) in the early spring. Includes workshops, discussions, rituals, drumming, vendors. The hope is for everyone to reach out beyond their covens and circles and local groups, beyond their traditions and paths to come together, weaving a picture of the community as a whole. Address: IPAN, P.O. Box 861, Iowa City, IA 52244-0861. E-mail: ipman@ipan.org.
Wic-Can Fest. Canada’s oldest Pagan festival. The gathering usually takes place the six days ending on the second Sunday in June, and is attended by 250+ people. Programming is eclectic, following the needs of Pagans in southwestern Ontario. The current site is the Mansfield Outdoor Center, about fifteen minutes closer to Toronto than the old site. Includes workshops, rituals, family events, and a meal plan. Camping and cabins are available. Address: Wic-Can Fest, 19 Elizabeth Street, P.O. Box 111, Coboconk, ON, L0M 1K0 Canada. E-mail: greymoonlake@yahoo.ca.
SUMMER
The Ancient Ways Festival. The festival is held around the third weekend of June (Wednesday through Sunday) at Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, California, near the Clear Lake area above the Napa Valley. Founded in 1983, the Ancient Ways Festival is a relaxed gathering with rituals every night, along with some kind of musical jamming or bardic circle. Wiccan, Neo-Pagan, Umbanda, ceremonial magic, and eclectic paths are included. During the day there are two to four tracks of workshops. Harbin is a clothing-optional site with warm, hot, and cold pools and a fair amount of shade. There is both a campground and hotel rooms. Contact: Ancient Ways, 4075 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609. Phone: 510-653-3244. E-mail: festival@ancientways.com.
Call of the Crow (COTC). Founded in 2002, Call of the Crow is an annual gathering intended for networking and education of the Pagan community (though anyone with an open mind is welcome). It is a one-week-long rustic camping event, held on a private, family-owned 240 acres in the heart of Michigan, near Lansing. The date of the event is June 18–25 every year. Different traditions perform their own rituals. Cost is $10 and no money is exchanged on the property; vendors can only exchange by barter. Address: Call of the Crow, c/o Stacey Knerr, 4254 Braden Road, Byron, MI 48418. E-mail: callofthecrow@gmail.com.
Chesapeake Pagan Summer Gathering. A three-day gathering held in Maryland during the late summer. It’s a small, highly focused gathering for a little over one hundred people. The gathering is held at a secluded, partly wooded private campground with a pool, cabins, hot showers, playground equipment, and optional meal plans. Includes workshops, music, firedancing, drumming, rituals, and sweat lodge. Tents welcome. Family friendly, with activities for children. Address: Gathering Registrar, Chesapeake Pagan Community, P.O. Box 25242, Baltimore, MD 21229.
Daughters of Diana Gathering. A Dianic conference for all Goddess women produced by Temple of Diana (see page 566) that takes place in mid-September in south-central Wisconsin. “Three days of ritual, music, art, dance, Amazon skills (including archery), vendors, and presentations by Goddess scholars.” Comfortable and fully accessible lodging and great food. Address: Temple of Diana, P.O. Box 6425, Monona, WI 53716-0425. Phone: 608-882-4655. E-mail: info@templeofdiana.org.
Earth and Sky Summer Creation Festival. A weekend gathering in the Oregon Coast Range, which generally takes place in August. It’s sponsored by Aerious (see page 508), an educational center that focuses on metaphysics, permaculture, and wholistic healing. There are workshops in astrology, herbs, healing, yoga, dance, drumming, and dream journeying. The gathering is mostly camping with some indoor sleeping. Address: Aerious, c/o Mark McNutt, 93640 Deadwood Creek Road, Deadwood, OR 97430. Phone: 541-964-5341.
Elderflower WomenSpirit Festival (EWF). A participatory four-day festival that takes place every August in the Mendocino Woodlands of northern California. “Our focus is earth-based spirituality and honoring the feminine through Goddess. We celebrate our diverse spirituality by sharing knowledge, music, arts, and ritual. EWF is open to all women and girls age eleven and over. We are committed to providing a welcoming and empowering environment for all women including older women, women of color and from all cultures, women of all sexual orientations, differently-abled women, women in recovery, and limited income women. We are run entirely by volunteers.” E-mail: info@elderflower.org.
Firedance Festival. A magical celebration of drum, dance, and song. Founded in 2000 and blending many traditions, Firedance has its roots in a style of fire circle celebration that evolved over the last two decades at magical drum and dance events held in the Northeast. “We join together in community in the beautiful Santa Cruz, California, Mountains amongst the Redwoods. Together we create a sacred place for deep play. Each night we join together in spiritual community to drum and dance the fire circle until the rising sun—connecting nature, our bodies, our voices and our selves with the magic of the fire and the spirit in each of us. Each day we explore ancient and modern mysteries through experiential playshops on drumming, sacred dance, chanting, exploring sacred space, and community rituals.” There are many accomplished artists and teachers, affinity groups, community rituals, and an opportunity to study drumming, dance, and magical arts. This is a camping festival, family friendly with children’s programs and some partial child care available. E-mail: info@firedance.org.
Gathering for Life on Earth. A regional, family-friendly festival that takes place every year in August near Vancouver. It began in 1991 and is considered by many to be the premier event of the Vancouver Pagan calendar. It’s a mixture of party-hearty activity, rituals, workshops, marketplace, Aphrodite’s Temple, and an excellent children’s program. There’s good food, cabins, and tenting space available. Address: Gathering for Life on Earth, P.O. Box 47568, 1-1020 Austin Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6T3 Canada. E-mail: gathering@gatheringforlife.org.
Harvest Gathering. A camping festival held over Labor Day weekend at Ozark Avalon, a Wiccan Church and Land Sanctuary near Columbia, Missouri (see page 552). There are workshops on various sacred arts and magical subjects, drumming, chanting, rituals, swimming, a sweat lodge, community meals, and fellowship. Address: Ozark Avalon, 26213 Cumberland Church Road, Boonville, MO 65233 Phone: 660-882-6418 or 573-289-3657. E-mail rosewise@socket.net.
Kaleidoscope Gathering. Canada’s largest Pagan gathering, which takes place on the weekend ending in the first Monday of August at Whispering Pines campground about forty-five minutes east of Ottawa. More than four hundred people attend. Kaleidoscope is in a part of English-speaking Canada, where the dominant language locally is French, bringing together Pagans from both cultures. Since it happens during Lughnasadh, there is a strong Celtic flavor. For more information, visit the Web site:
www.kaleidoscope-gathering.com.
Lunasdal. A celebration of summer and community building held at the end of July in western Massachusetts, including rituals, sharing of stories and chants, drumming, dancing, music, and other activities for both adults and children. Tenting only. Sponsored by EarthSpirit (see page 529). Address: EarthSpirit, P.O. Box 723, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Phone: 413-238-4240. E-mail: earthspirit@earthspirit.com.
MerryMeet. This is the Covenant of the Goddess’s (see page 524) annual festival held in conjunction with the Grand Council, COG’s annual business meeting. It is held on Labor Day weekend or the weekend before in a different region of the United States each year. The event is usually held at a secluded campground or hotel. Meals are provided. Includes workshops, rituals, bardic circles, concerts, talent shows, and Pagan artisans. An optional leadership institute often takes place on the first day (Thursday). Address: COG, P.O. Box 1226, Berkeley, CA 94701. E-mail: merrymeet@cog.org.
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. For more than thirty years this has been the preeminent women’s music festival, bringing thousands of women from every state and every continent for a week of music and camping out on 650 acres of private land in Michigan. It usually takes place during the second week of August. There are also workshops and rituals. Women only; very lesbian identified. There is fabulous access for disabled women. It is very political and intense; issues of racism and sexuality come up often. Truly an experience of living in an alternate world. Address: WWTMC, Box 22, Walhalla, MI 49458. Send SASE. Phone: 217-757-4766.
MidSummer Gather Festival. An eight-day/seven-night festival held over Midsummer, sponsored by the Earth House Project of Minnesota. Founded in 2001, it’s a week of celebration, of sharing, of learning and of honoring one another’s unique rituals. “Meet new people, learn new ways, and play like Pagans!” The festival features rituals and workshops, music and drumming, late-night community fires, and several community feasts. Open to Pagans everywhere, with child rates available; there is no additional fee for merchanting. Held currently at Eagle Cave Campgrounds (the old PSG site) in the heart of Wisconsin. Address: EHP Midsummer Gather, P.O. Box 141251, Minneapolis, MN 55414-9998. Phone: 877-538-4121.
National Women’s Music Festival–Spirituality Conference. A four-day national gathering held in June or July at a midwestern college campus. This is a big music festival that also has a spirituality track of workshops and also a writer’s track. Housing and meals are provided in dorms and cafeterias. Sponsored by Women in the Arts, P.O. Box 1427, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG). One of Paganism’s oldest and largest gatherings, PSG is a week-long festival that has been going strong since 1980. It brings together Pagans from many paths from across the United States and several other countries to create community, develop Pagan culture, and celebrate Summer Solstice. Participants create and live cooperatively in a tribal Pagan village in a scenic setting. Many pitch tents; some lodge in camping vehicles. The gathering is open to women, men, and children, and includes rituals from different traditions, workshops, discussions, sweat lodges, concerts, a marketplace, youth programs, a leadership institute, women’s rituals, men’s rituals, chant sharing, ecstatic dancing, drumming, and more. Sponsored by Circle (see page 519) PSG takes place each June during the week of Summer Solstice, and since 1997 has been held at Wisteria campground and Nature Preserve in Ohio. Pre-registration is required. Articles, photos, and more details are online. Managing Director: MoonFeather. Address: PSG, Circle Sanctuary, P.O. Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507. 608-924-2216. E-mail: psg@circlesanctuary.org.
Pan Fest. Pan Fest is Alberta’s Pagan festival. The gathering usually takes place the weekend ending on the first Monday of August, and is attended by about 150 people. Includes rituals, workshops, music, and a marketplace. For more information, visit the Web site:
www.panfest.net.
Pan Pagan Festival. Founded in 1976, making it possibly the oldest national annual outdoor Pagan gathering anywhere. The Midwest Pagan Council puts on this five-day festival (Wednesday to Sunday), which is held in August. It’s an outdoor camping festival—mostly tents, although there are a limited number of RV hookups available for an additional charge. The campground is located about twelve miles outside of Knox, Indiana, on the Tippacanoe River, and offers canoe trips and inner tube rafting down the river for a reasonable charge. The campground also has a well-stocked store and a swimming pool. Includes rituals, workshops, feasts, follies, and children’s workshops and activities. Address: M.P.C., P.O. Box 160, Western Springs, IL 60558.
Ravenwood Gathering. An annual gathering (since 1990) held the first or second weekend in July with a Northern European Tradition(s) focus. There are workshops, music and merriment, Viking games, a feast, and vendors. The event is limited to seventy-five campers (“no electricity—just like the ‘good old days’”). Held on top of Mt. Tamalpais (the Sleeping Lady) in the Redwoods just north of San Francisco. Address: Freya’s Folk, PMB 165, 537 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-2007.
Sirius Rising. An eclectic weeklong festival that nurtures creative and spiritual potential by bringing together, involving, and teaching the community. The festival takes place at Brushwood Folklore Center, a secluded 180-acre clothing-optional campsite in western New York state. Brushwood is also the site of the Starwood festival. Workshops, drumming, dancing, rituals, eclectic music, and nightly bonfires. Address: Brushwood Folklore Center, 8881 Bailey Hill Road, Sherman, NY 14781. Phone: 716-761-6750. E-mail: camp@
brushwood.com.
Spirits of the Earth Festival. Founded in 2003, Spirit of the Earth Festival is a one-week Pagan gathering in Ontario, Canada, that is held annually in July. The festival consists of workshops for both adults and children, nightly entertainment, access to specialized vendors, and meet and greets with Pagan authors. “Come and join in our nightly drum circle and revel fires.” Day, weekend, and week-long passes are available.
Contact: Tameika and Fox. Address: RR3 Iona Station, ON N0L 1P0, Ontario, Canada. Phone: 519-762-2000. E-mail: info@spiritsfest.com.
The Starwood Festival. A large six-day festival held in western New York State in the third or forth week of July, sponsored by ACE, the Association for Consciousness Exploration. For over twenty-five years Starwood has been a celebration of diversity, combining elements of Neo-Paganism, mind-sciences, environmentalism, new technologies, holistic healing, alternate lifestyles, and much more. Starwood has become one of the biggest festivals of this movement, with over 1,500 participants, hosting world-renown speakers and performers (including some Grammy winners). It is held at Brushwood Folklore Center, a clothing-optional campground with fields and woods, hot showers, a pool and hot tub, and a food court with bar and coffee shop. There are over 150 workshops, about 15 concerts with full sound system and video support, rituals from many cultures, theater, comedy, fireworks and multimedia presentations, drumming classes and all-night circles, an on-site radio station, an inflatable dance party dome, day care and children’s programs, ecstatic dancing, and an immense bonfire. Address: Association for Consciousness Exploration, 1643 Lee Road #9, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118. E-mail: ace@rosencomet.com.
Summerset. A four-day gathering held over Labor Day weekend at a campground near Columbus, Ohio, sponsored by the Pagan Community Council of Ohio (see page 553). This is their pre-Mabon gathering, which focuses on Neo-Paganism, Wicca, and Nature spirituality. There are workshops, rituals, music, entertainment, and activities for children. This is a camping festival; tents are required.
WomenCircles. WomenCircles has been in existence for over thirty years. For five days and nights in late August, women gather in a place where women’s spirits are honored, nurtured, and celebrated in the name of the Goddess. “Each year one goddess is chosen to explore—and through a carefully designed program, lead by a team of powerful women, participants learn ways to claim their healing powers for their own and to commit to their healing work. WomenCircles is similar to an ancient mystery school. The Goddess is recognized through many traditions and many disciplines. Throughout the week, women go deeper into the mysteries and expand their knowledge of self, gentleness and earth blessing. Women gather in ceremonies to greet their lyrical, poetic, drumming, dancing, mystical, and wise selves. There are daily events and workshops and evening rituals that honor the goddess in all her magnitude.” The event takes place at a beautiful Unitarian retreat center in the Berkshires. Directors: Eclipse Fey and Felicity Pickett. Address: Rowe Camp and Conference Center, P.O. Box 273, Rowe, MA 01367. Phone: 413-339-4954.
FALL
Between the Worlds Men’s Gathering. Since 2002, the Between the Worlds (BTW) Men’s Gathering has provided a safe place for men who love men to explore spiritual practices such as Pagan and Earth-centered paths. The focus of BTW is to promote spiritual networking and understanding on a national level within the gay community. BTW comes together each Autumnal Equinox to form a community of Pagan brotherhood among the forested hills of southeastern Ohio. The event offers rituals, workshops, drumming, dancing, performances, social events, and a marketplace. It’s a place for queer men to learn, worship, network, and explore. Past keynote speakers have included Drake Spaeth of Circle Sanctuary, author and teacher Christopher Penczak, and Toby Johnson, author and contributing editor to White Crane Journal. Address: Between the Worlds Men’s Gathering, c/o The Green Faerie Grove, 3000 B East Main Street, #240, Columbus, OH 43209. E-mail: garandu@betweentheworlds.org and ea@betweentheworlds.org.
CMA-Samhain Festival. A weekend campout festival held in Central Texas and sponsored by the Council of Magickal Arts (CMA) (see page 522). Events include rituals presented by some of the different CMA member traditions, workshops, drumming, children’s and teens’ activities, and much more. Attendance at festivals requires membership in CMA. Members from around the world attend CMA festivals from a multitude of paths. Address: CMA, P.O. Box 8030, Fort Worth, TX 76124-0030. Phone: 361-865-9077. E-mail: cma@magical-arts.org.
CymryCon. An annual festival held each fall in northern Georgia, sponsored by Y Tylwyth Teg (see page 574). This four-day, family-oriented camping gathering features guest speakers such as Caitlyn Matthews, Ann Moura, Edain McCoy, as well as contemporary Pagan musicians and artists. Drumming and bardic circles are held each evening under the stars. An open ritual is held in celebration of the Goddesses and Gods of Nature and Spirit. Workshops are offered on a variety of contemporary and traditional topics. All Pagan or Earth-based traditions are invited to attend and present workshops on their practices and beliefs. Open forum discussions are encouraged. Address: Lady Cerridwen, 3075 Mary Drive, Marietta, GA 30066. E-mail: Cerridwen@ytylwythteg.org.
Elysium Gathering. Founded by Three Roads Community of Springfield, Ohio (see page 567), as a way to foster community between people of various Pagan paths. Elysium is a four-day festival held in the fall in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The campsite offers cabins, showers, and flush toilets, as well as lots of space for tent camping. There are workshops on Wicca, Druidry, Ceremonial Magick, Pagan Reconstructionism, and many others and diverse rituals from many paths, ranging from a sunrise Rites of Offering in traditional Roman style, to a Hindu-influenced puja. Includes drumming, dancing, bardic circles, fine arts, feasting, and on-site food vending. Address: Three Roads Community, ATTN: Elysium Gathering, 3109 Sandalwood Avenue, Springfield, OH 45502. E-mail: ladyoceanstar@gmail.com.
FallFling. A Pagan festival at Dragon Hills in Georgia, usually held in October, which started in 1994. Primitive camping. Includes dancing, live music, rituals, classes, and a potluck feast. Run by Linda Kerr. E-mail: murgen@ faeriefaith.net.
Feast of Einharjar (Heroes in Heaven). Fixed holiday celebrated every November 11 at 5:00 P.M. at the Wave Organ in San Francisco, California (since 1988). Freya’s Folk celebrates a Sumbel (ritualized form of drinking) for the Dead in three rounds at sunset. Starts promptly. Contact: prudence@
freyasfolk.org.
Florida Pagan Gathering—Samhain. See the FPG Beltane listing, page 577.
Hallows Gathering. A celebration of Hallows/Samhain for women, sponsored by the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International (RCG-I) (see page 558). Takes place on a weekend in October, with rituals, workshops, singing, drumming, dancing, artists, and craftswomen. Paths represented are women-centered, especially Dianic. Held in a wooded and accessible retreat center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, with a lodge, heated cabins, and meals. Contact: RCG-I, P.O. Box 6677, Madison, WI 53716. Phone: 608-226-9998. E-mail: rcgiorg@aol.com.
Harvest Home Gathering. A four-day Pagan festival that takes place in Connecticut in mid-September. Harvest Home Gathering is an indoor/outdoor event, which promotes celebration, knowledge, spirituality, family, and fellowship. “By virtue of its very name, we embrace the collective spirit of our kindred. We work together in harmony and compassion to achieve that which is sacred. Together we plant the seeds of our future and together we shall enjoy the fruitful harvest of our collective efforts.” There are workshops, classes with world renowned authors, rituals, an all-night bonfire with drumming and dancing, a large vending area, a dance with a D.J., a live concert, and more. E-mail John Boye at: johnboye777@yahoo.com or Liz Guerra at jasmine@sevensages.com.
Hekatee’s Sickle Festival. An annual retreat for introspection, self-examination, and adult rites of passage sponsored by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (see page 511). The festival was founded in 1990. “It’s a time to look at your intentions, accomplishments and future.” Held the first full weekend in November. There are heated cabins, showers, and meals. Send a SASE to: Aquarian Tabernacle Church—HSF, P.O. Box 409, Index, WA 98256. Phone: 360-793-1945. E-mail: atc@AquaTabCh.org.
Isis Oasis Convocation. A four-day festival held each October at the Isis Oasis Sanctuary (see page 540) in the heart of the Alexander Valley wine country. Events usually include a special meditation led by Olivia Robertson, Fellowship of Isis co-founder, sacred dancing, a mystery play written by Isis Oasis founder Loreon Vigné, and more than a dozen workshops and presentations by authors and Isian clergy. Past presenters have included Isadora Forrest (Isis Magic), Leonard Shain (The Alphabet and the Goddess), and deTraci Regula (Mysteries of Isis). Food and lodging in Egyptian-themed rooms is included; there is also a bazaar. Address: Isis Oasis Convocation, c/o Rev. Loreon Vigné, 20889 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville, CA 95441. Phone: 707-857-ISIS or 800-679-PETS. E-mail: isis@isisoasis.org.
Magickal Mountain Mabon. A festival at or near the weekend of the Fall Equinox (Thursday to Sunday) sponsored by the Chamisa Local Council of COG (see page 524). It takes place at a campground near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Activities include workshops, rituals, drumming and bardic circles, and usually nationally and locally known authors and special guests. Campers provide their own food and fees are low. Families and children are welcome. Contact:
www.ladywoods.org, usually after Summer Solstice. Address: MMM, Chamisa Local Council, P.O. Box 892, Tijeras, NM 87059. E-mail: chamisa@ cog.org.
The Mid-Atlantic Men’s Gathering—Fall Gathering. See the listing for spring, page 578.
Mt. Franklin Annual Pagan Gathering. Held since 1981, this gathering, which takes place on the last weekend of October, is the longest running Pagan festival in Australia. Mt. Franklin is a dormant volcano located in Central Victoria. The gathering takes place in the crater, a garden of great beauty, with outdoor barbecue facilities, tap water, and toilets. This is a camping festival, so bring tents, cooking gear, and food to share. This is a Beltane festival with a bonfire and a Maypole dance. (Spring in Australia is fall in the United States.) Address: “October Gathering,” P.O. Box 54, Castlemaine, Victoria 3450, Australia. E-mail: lindamarold@yahoo.com.au (but they live off the grid so regular mail is just as fast).
Shadowmas. A three-day gathering sponsored by the Pagan Community Council of Ohio (see page 553) held in October, before Samhain, at a central Ohio camp. There are workshops, rituals, vendors, and a bardic circle. It focuses on honoring ancestors who have passed on and the wisdom they have given, as well as the reverence for nature’s cycles. This is cabin camping; bring your own linens.
The Spiral Dance. An annual public ritual put on near Samhain (Halloween) by San Francisco Reclaiming groups. Reclaiming (see page 558), an international community of women and men working to unify spirit and political action (magical activism), began at the 1979 Spiral Dance ritual. Address: Reclaiming, P.O. Box 14404, San Francisco, CA 94114. Events line: 415-255-7623. E-mail: reclaiming@reclaiming.org.
Twilight Covening. A long weekend of concentrated spiritual experience focused on the “twilight” of the year, the time of harvest and turning inward—a time for reflection, dreaming, seeking visions, and sharing. Twilight Covening takes place in western Massachusetts over the Columbus Day weekend, and is for adults only. It is a highly structured gathering, with participants divided into clans focusing on a single theme, such as drumming, dreams, tarot, meditation, or healing. All clans meet separately but come together for daily circles, meals, and the main Visioning Ritual. Clans also work together to provide meals, tend the fire, and do other work necessary for community living. It is a remote site with cabins, hot showers, and meals. Sponsored by EarthSpirit (see page 529). Address: EarthSpirit, P.O. Box 723, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Phone: 413-238-4240. E-mail: earthspirit@earthspirit.com.
Valhallapalooza. A festival that showcases the richness and variety of Northern European music, religion, and culture. The annual September gathering emerged from Ancient Pathways: Loot for the Moot!, which was envisioned as a series of fund-raisers sponsored by Blood Eagle Kindred of the Ásatrú Alliance in order to foster the strength and growth of Odin’s Nation. Loot for the Moot! featured talks and workshops with American Heathen elders, authors, poets, brewers, herbalists, folklorists, and showcased local ethnic fusion bellydancers. Valhallapalooza became the second fund-raiser in the series. The non-profit Odin LIVES! radio program brought powerful musical muscle to the mix and increased the scope and breadth of the festival.
Wild Magick Gathering. A four-day camping festival held near the Autumn Equinox, sponsored by ElvinHOME, inc., formerly the Elf Lore Family (see page 531), at their nature sanctuary, Lothlorien. Many different magical and spiritual paths are represented. There are workshops, ceremonies, discussion circles, song swapping, drumming, and activities for children. Address: Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1082, Bloomington, IN 47402-1082. E-mail: elf@kiva.net.
SOME INTERESTING ADDITIONALWEBSITES
www.godchecker.com. It calls itself “your guide to the gods,” and has almost every pantheon you can think of, information on almost 2,500 different gods. Done with a sense of humor but contains some fun information. They have a God shop with items to sell, and a god-a-day feed for your Web site.
www.aradiagoddess.com. A Web site devoted to the Goddess Aradia, with spells, rituals, folklore, stories, and mythology.
www.istillworshipzeus.com. The Web site of a film that explores the revival of Paganism in Greece, which just won its fight for legality. You can watch the movie trailer for free, and there are links to various Greek Pagan Web sites and anti-discrimination organizations.
www.journey1.org. A Web site dedicated to living with joy and happiness, harming as little possible while living in harmony with Mother Earth. The Web site includes the Virtual Candle, at
www.virtual-candle.org. Since 2000, people may light a candle choosing from a variety of colors and leave a personal message or prayer; there is also a forum and a blog. As of 2005, there are over forty thousand messages in the archives. The Virtual Candle site has become a worldwide community of many religions existing peacefully together, with well over one hundred countries being heard from so far.
www.wiccanrede.dreamhost.com. A fascinating Web site that focuses on the Wiccan Rede, Wicca’s most basic and important statement of ethics. It looks at the history, different forms of the rede, the history of redes in general, and many alternate versions of the Wiccan Rede.
www.serpentinemusic.com. Although we have not listed stores or personal services in this guide, this particular catalogue lists almost everything in Pagan music. A related site,
www.circleround.com, with many articles, songs, and more, comes out of the wonderful songbook
Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions.
www.monicasjoo.com. Monica Sjoo died in 2005, but her artwork and books, particularly
The Great Cosmic Mother of us all, contributed much to the Goddess Spirituality movement. This Web site allows her work to be shared by everyone, and includes many paintings and some writing.
DISCORDIAN WEB SITES
http://k.webring.com/hub?ring=discordia. A webring dedicated to the worship of Eris, Goddess of Confusion, and to the kind of seemingly insane concepts, which, though often long hidden or derided, actually underpin the universe. This site will lead you to a score of Discordian Web sites and groups.
WEB SITES FOR SOME PAGAN TRADITIONS
www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=trads. The Witches’ Voice has more than fifty articles on different Pagan traditions and is a good place to start if you want information.
www.geraldgardner.com. A fascinating Web site created by Morgan Davis filled with documents relating to Gerald Gardner as well as links to many fascinating essays by scholars on related issues.
www.metista.com. Information on the 1734 tradition. This Web site, coauthored by Joe Wilson, who introduced the 1734 tradition to North America, includes a history of 1734 in America and copies of the Robert Cochrane letters, as well as information on Metista, a new shamanic tradition influenced by Cochrane’s Witchcraft and Native American teachings.
http://traditionalgeorgians.net. This Web site is devoted to covens from three lines of George Patterson’s Georgian Tradition of Wicca—all consider themselves traditionalist, and a part of British Traditional Wicca. There are other Georgians that follow a more eclectic or Dianic path.
RESOURCE GUIDE BY LOCATION
This section organizes the resource guide—publications, groups, and festivals—according to location and address. However, note that some organizations have groups in many different states and others only give Web sites—but often those Web sites show where local groups can be found. The festivals are listed in the state where the festivals most often take place—not where the organizations that sponsor the festivals are located. Groups, publications, and festivals listed here represent 39 states plus D.C. and eleven countries.
Arizona
Publications: Earth First! Journal, Oak Leaves, Tapestry
Groups: Ár nDraíocht Féin, The Ásatrú Alliance, Crossroads Lyceum, Mother Earth Ministries-ATC, Tucson Area Wiccan-Pagan Network, Wind Tree Ranch
California
Publications: AFA Update, Awakened Woman, The Blessed Bee, Covenant of the Goddess Newsletter, Faces of the Goddess, MAMAROOTS Forum, Metaformia, new Witch, PanGaia, Reclaiming Quarterly, SageWoman, Societe, The Wise Woman, Witch Eye, Yggdrasil
Groups: American Vinland Association, The Ancient Keltic Church, Ancient Ways, Annwfn/Forever Forests, The Ásatrú Folk Assembly, Bay Area Pagan Assemblies, California Utlandr Alliance, The Celtic Witan Church, Church of All Worlds, Church of the Eternal Source, Circle of Aradia, Community Seed, Coven of the Mother Mountain Aerie, Covenant of the Goddess, Daughters of the Goddess, Daughters of Kali, The Grey School of Wizardry, Hrafnar Kindred, Index, Isis Oasis Sanctuary, The Kindred of ShiEndra, MAMAROOTS, New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn, New Wiccan Church International, Our Lady of Enchantment, Reclaiming, SHARANYA, Technicians of the Sacred, Women’s Spirituality Forum
Festivals: The Ancient Ways Festival, Elderflower, Feast of Einharjar, Firedance Festival, Isis Oasis Convocation, PantheaCon, Ravenwood Gathering, The Spiral Dance, WomenSpirit Festival
Colorado
Publications: The Pomegranate (subscriptions—England)
Groups: Earth Spirit Pagans, The Sabaean Religious Order, The Sisterhood of Avalon, Women’s Spiritual Leadership Alliance
Connecticut
Groups: Connecticut Wiccan and Pagan Network, The Panthean Temple
Festivals: Beltaine: A Pagan Odyssey, Harvest Home Gathering
Delaware
Groups: Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, The New Alexandrian Library
District of Columbia
Groups: The Open Hearth Foundation, Inc.
Florida
Publications: Goddessing, Idunna
Groups: The Church of Iron Oak, GreenSong Grove, Neptune’s Silver Web, Religious Order of the Circle of Isis Rising, The Troth, The Witch & Famous Coven
Festivals: Florida Pagan Gathering (Beltane and Samhain)
Georgia
Groups: Church ofthe Spiral Tree, Y Tylwyth Teg
Festivals: CymryCon, FallFling, The Gathering of the Tribes, Moondance
Idaho
Groups: Church of the Eternal Source
Illinois
Groups: Gaia’s Womb, Lake View Covenant, The Sanctuary of the Crescent Moon
Indiana
Groups: ElvinHOME, inc. (formerly Elf Lore Family), The Kindred of Ravenswood, Romuva, Wolves’ Wod Kindred
Festivals: Elf Fest, National Women’s Music Festival, Pan Pagan Festival, Wild Magick Gathering
Iowa
Publications: Weavings
Groups: The Black Witch-Hat Society, The Iowa Pagan Access Network, Our Lady of Spiritual Audacity, Tree of Thirteen Runes, Wiccan Religious Group, Iowa State Penitentiary
Festivals: The Weaving Community Symposium
Kansas
Groups: Gaea Retreat Center, Heartland Spiritual Alliance
Kentucky
Groups: Alternative Religions Educational Network, Robin’s Hood CommUnity Center
Louisiana
Groups: Covenant of the Pentacle Wiccan Church
Maine
Groups: EarthTides Pagan Network, Feminist Spiritual Community, Immanent Grove, Maine Pagan Clergy Association, Nova Roma, Silver Cauldron Coven, Temple of Brigantia, Temple of the Feminine Divine and Iseum Musicum
Maryland
Publications: The Mystics Wheel of the Year Calendar
Groups: Chesapeake Pagan Community, Foxwood Temple of the Old Religion, Military Pagan Network
Festivals: Chesapeake Pagan Summer Gathering
Massachusetts
Publications: The Lunar Calandar
Groups: Cultural Survival, EarthSpirit, Temple of Nine Wells
Festivals: A Feast of Lights, Lunasdal, Rites of Spring, Twilight Covening, WomenCircles
Michigan
Publications: The Fifth Estate, Northwood Journal
Groups: Caer na Donia y Llew, The Federation of Circles and Solitaries, Hearth & Grove Fellowship, Kalamazoo Pagan Community Brunch, Magical Education Council, New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn, The Pagan Roundtable, White Mare Sanctuary
Festivals: Call of the Crow, ConVocation, Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, Paganstock
Minnesota
Groups: Circle of the Phoenix Spiritual Community, The Earth House Project, Minnesota Heathens, The Reformed Druids of North America, Wiccan Church of Minnesota
Mississippi
Groups: Camp Sister Spirit Folk School
Missouri
Groups: Diana’s Grove, Ozark Avalon
Festivals: Harvest Gathering, Heartland Pagan Festival
Montana
Groups: Neokoroi (The Temple Keepers)
Nevada
Groups: The Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet
New Jersey
Groups: Covenant of Rhiannon, Free Spirit Alliance, Proteus Coven
Festivals: Free Spirit Gathering, Mid-Atlantic Pagan Alliance’s Annual Beltane.
New Mexico
Groups: Ardantane, Feraferia, Our Lady of the Woods
Festivals: Magickal Mountain Mabon
New York
Publications: Always in Season, Enchante, White Crane Journal
Groups: Branching, Maetreum of Cybele, Mama Donna’s Tea Garden & Healing Haven, Minoan Sisterhood, New Moon New York, Polyhymnia Coven
Festivals: Sirius Rising, The Starwood Festival
North Carolina
Publications: Communities Magazine
Groups: Appalachian Pagan Alliance, Coven Oldenwilde, Eldhrimnir Kindred
Ohio
Publications: The Oak Leaf, Odin LIVES! (radio show)
Groups: Association for Consciousness Exploration, The Chameleon Club, The Church of Spiral Oak, Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Earth Spirituality and Education Center, The Green Faerie Grove, Hof Guild Kindred, Pagan Community Council of Ohio, Three Roads Community, Wisteria
Festivals: Between the Worlds Men’s Gathering, Elysium Gathering, Greening, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Shadowmas, Summerset, Winterfire, The WinterStar Symposium
Oklahoma
Groups: Deep Root Community Lending Library, Pagan Sanctum Recovery, Sekhet Bast Ra, OTO
Oregon
Publications: Spirited Woman, WomenSpirit
Groups: Aerious, Ancient Order of Druids in America, The Grandmother Council, Living Earth Circle, The Order of the Sacred Oaks & The Sacred Oak Grove, SisterSpirit, Women in Conscious Creative Action
Festivals: Earth and Sky Summer Creation Festival, Festival of Lights, Pagan Faire
Pennsylvania
Groups: Delaware Valley Pagan Network, Four Quarters
Festivals: The Mid-Atlantic Men’s Gathering (Spring and Fall)
Rhode Island
Groups: Blood Eagle Kindred, Gaia’s Hearth, The Magaian Way, New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches, Society of the Evening Star
Festivals: Valhallapalooza
Tennesse
Publications: RFD Magazine
Groups: Summerland Grove, Inc.
Texas
Publications: The Accord
Groups: Council of the Magickal Arts, Holy Spring Heathen Fellowship, The Sacred Well Congregation, Widsith
Festivals: CMA Festival (Beltaine and Samhain)
Vermont
Groups: Cherry Hill Seminary, Church of the Sacred Earth
Virginia
Publications: If . . . Journal
Groups: PagaNet, Inc., The Spiral Grove
Washington
Publications: The Beltane Papers, The Hermit’s Lantern, Panegyria, The Unicorn
Groups: Aquarian Tabernacle Church, Our Lady of the Earth and Sky, The Rowan Tree Church, Women of Wisdom Foundation
Festivals: Hekatee’s Sickle Festival, Spring Mysteries Festival
West Virginia
Publications: Survival
Groups: Church and School of Wicca
Festivals: Mountain Mayfest
Wisconsin
Publications: Circle Guide to Pagan Groups, Circle Magazine
Groups: The Black Earth Institute, Circle, Circle Cemetery, The Earth Conclave, Elf Queen’s Daughters, Lady Liberty League, Officers of Avalon, Pagan Academic Network, The Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International, Temple of Diana, Warrior Circle, Women’s Thealogical Institute
Festivals: Daughters of Diana Gathering, A Gathering of Priestesses and Goddess Women, Hallows Gathering, MidSummer Gather Festival
OTHER COUNTRIES
Australia
Publications: Pagan Times
Groups: Alexandrian Wicca Incorporated, Australian Pagan Information Center, Ordrine Scatere Stellae—Order of the Well of Stars, Pagan Alliance
Festivals: Mt. Franklin Annual Pagan Gathering
Canada
Groups: Congregationalist Wiccan Association of British Columbia, The Coven of the Wylde Rose, The Covenant of Gaia Wiccan Church of Alberta, Dievturība, Hecate-Legba Coven, The Pagan Federation/Fédération Païenne Canada, The Toronto Pagan Pub Moot, Wiccan Church of Canada
Festivals: Gaia Gathering—Canadian National Pagan Conference, Wic-Can Fest, Gathering for Life on Earth, Kaleidoscope Gathering, Pan Fest, Spirits of the Earth Festival
Guatamala
Groups: 9 Mayans
Ireland
Groups: Fellowship of Isis, The Pagan Federation (Scotland and Ireland)
Italy
Groups: Sacre Radici
Japan
Groups: Witchcraft Education Network
The Netherlands
Publications: Wiccan Rede
Groups: Feraferia, The Pagan Federation International, Silver Circle
South Africa
Groups: Circle of the African Moon, The Grove, The House of Ouroborus, The Pagan Federation of South Africa, South African Pagan Rights Alliance
Sweden
Groups: Court of Earth Coven, Court of Joy Coven
United Kingdom
Publications: The Cauldron, Goddess Alive!, Meyn Mamvro, Pagan Dawn, The Pomegranate, Quest, Touchwood
Groups: Albion Conclave, The Council of British Druid Orders, The Druid Network, Loyal Arthurian Warband, The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, The Pagan Federation, The Pagan Federation (Scotland and Ireland)
No Address or Cyber Address Only
Publications: Cup of Wonder, MatriFocus Cross-Quarterly, Waxing & Waning, WiccanPagan Times, The Witches’ Almanac, The Witches Voice, Inc.
Groups: Ancient Riders, Earth Religions Assistance List, Ecclesia Antinoi, Grok Fellowship, The Henge of Keltria, Minoan Tradition, Missionary Order of the Celtic Cross, Order of the WhiteOak, Ouroborous Isis Gnosis, Pagan Alliance of Nurses, The Pagan Pride Project, Pagan Unity Campaign, Radical Faeries, Thiasos Lusios, Two-Spirit Peoples, Witch Grass Coven, World Pagan Network
Festivals: MerryMeet (rotates between different parts of the country)