World Pagan Network (WPN).
WPN is a free online service to Pagans seeking Pagans, and hopefully a spark for networking. WPN was founded in the spring of 1995 and has volunteers from across the country and around the world. WPN is not able to provide services to incarcerated individuals. “If you are looking for your local community, contacts, events or even the best part of town to live in, please visit our Web site.” E-mail:
[email protected].
Y Tylwyth Teg.
“A dynamic, active Mystery Tradition, founded in the Welsh Faerie Faith. Priestess led; seeking balance in all things; members bring a stronger connection to the Goddess and God into their daily lives through a closer bond with the natural world.” There is a focus on Welsh deities revealed through Arthurian legend and historical texts. Whether celebrating the Wheel of the Year's eight festivals in the mountains of north Georgia, or in an urban circle, or meeting regularly for classes and sabbats, emphasis is placed on personal growth, ethics, and responsibility. Traditional and historical techniques are used to bring the seeker through nine levels of enlightenment. Neophyte classes are available, both in person and by correspondence. Open rituals are offered up to three times a year, as well as an annual open festival, CymryCon. Address: Lady Cerridwen, 3075 Mary Drive, Marietta, GA 30066, E-mail:
[email protected].
FESTIVALS AND GATHERINGS
There are more than 350 annual Pagan festivals. About seventy of them are listed here. Some are largeâPagan Spirit Gathering PantheaCon, Starwood, Heartland, and a few others recently have had between 900 and 1,200 attendees. The Michigan Womyn's Music Festival has at least six times that many. Other gatherings are small and intimate. Some are totally rustic camping affairs; others are held in hotels and retreat centers. Some festivals have been around for thirty years; others are relatively new. Many have Web sites with descriptions of activities and pictures of previous gatherings.
WINTER
ConVocation.
ConVocation is “the largest indoor Pagan event in the midwest.” Founded in 1995, it is held annually in February in the metro Detroit area. ConVocation is a four-day event running Thursday through Sunday which hosts the largest indoor drum circle in the region and offers over one hundred classes following a variety of spiritual paths, including Wiccan, Shamanic, Druidic, Buddhist, Ceremonial Magick, and many more. ConVocation is put on by MEC (see page 543). Address: ConVocation, P.O. Box 3190, Centerline, MI 48015. E-mail:
[email protected].
A Feast of Lights.
A weekend gathering at the end of January sponsored by EarthSpirit (see page 529). In a hotel setting in western Massachusetts, this gathering has a focus on traditional bardic wintertime themes of story, song, the arts, and community. There are workshops, music, rituals, storytelling, and other activities for adults and children as well as a ritual costume ball, the Stag King's Masque. There are hotel accommodations, an indoor pool, and food available. Address: EarthSpirit, P.O. Box 723, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Phone: 413-238-4240. E-mail:
[email protected].
Festival of Lights.
An annual winter festival celebrating St. Lucia's Day, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Solstice, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas on an evening in the middle of December. Sponsored by SisterSpirit (see page 564). Address: SisterSpirit, P.O. Box 9246, Portland, OR 97207. Phone: 503-736-3297.
PantheaCon.
Sponsored by Ancient Ways and held every President's Day weekend at a hotel in San Jose, California. Founded in 1995, this Pagan convention (of over 1,700 attendees in 2004) includes workshops and panels from many spiritual traditions, scholarly papers, rituals, music, a Masquerade Ball, and many “featured guests” like R. J. Stewart, Isaac Bonewits, Luisah Teish, Z Budapest, Amber K, Don Craig, Raven Grimassi, Lon DuQuette, T. Thorn Coyle, Christopher Penczak, and Phillip Heselton. Program tracks include Neo-Pagan topics, Goddesses, Norse and Celtic, Egyptian and African, Body Spirit, healing and psychic development, magic, tarot, and divination. Address: Ancient Ways, 4075 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609. Phone: 510-653-3244. E-mail:
[email protected].
Winterfire.
A three-day gathering sponsored by the Pagan Community Council of Ohio (see page 553). Held on a fluctuating date between Imbolc and Ostara at a central Ohio camp, there are workshops, rituals, vendors, and a bardic circle. It focuses on the turning of the wheel and spring bringing new life to the earth. This is cabin campingâplease bring your own linens.
The WinterStar Symposium.
A four-day festival held in or around February at a resort in central Ohio sponsored by ACE, the Association for Consciousness Exploration (see page 514). There are seminars on magical, spiritual, social and religious topics, as well as consciousness exploration, health, alternative lifestyles, and political issues. It also has drumming, rituals, films, parties, dancing, chanting, and musical performances. Considered by some to be the cushiest festival in the Magical Movement, the site has fully-appointed hotel rooms, a restaurant and lounge, large seminar spaces and merchants' areas, pool, sauna, hot tub, and exercise and game rooms. It also features seventeen fourbedroom heated cottages with two bathrooms and full kitchens. Mailing address: ACE, 1643 Lee Road #9, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118. E-mail: ace@
rosencomet.com
.
SPRING
Beltaine: A Pagan Odyssey.
A weekend campout festival put on by the Panthean Temple in Connecticut (see page 557), with many other groups participating from all over the Northeast. The festival takes place at Schrieber's Farm in Oxford, Connecticut, and is a fund-raising event for the church's land fund. Events include rituals, bardic circles, drumming and bonfires, workshops, classes, children's activities, and more.
CMAâBeltane Festival.
A campout festival in Texas sponsored by the Council of Magickal Arts (CMA) (see page 522). Several hundred CMA members gather for a weekend-long gathering to celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Events include rituals presented by some of the different CMA member traditions, workshops, drumming, children's and teens' activities, and much more. CMA encompasses members from around the world who attend CMA festivals from a multitude of paths. Attendance at festivals requires membership in CMA. Address: CMA, P.O. Box 8030, Fort Worth, TX 76124-0030. Phone: 361-865-9077. E-mail:
[email protected].
Elf Fest.
An annual fertile earth gathering and camping festival held over Memorial Day weekend at Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary near Needmore, Indiana, and sponsored by ElvinHOME, inc., formerly the Elf Lore Family (see page 531). There are workshops, music, drumming, networking, rituals, circle dances, alternative technologies, and activities for children. All spiritual paths are welcome. Address: Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1082, Bloomington, IN 47402-1082. E-mail:
[email protected].
Florida Pagan GatheringâBeltane.
(Also held at Samhain.) Founded in 1995, and once called Freedom Fest, this is a large regional festival held south of St. Petersburg in a nature preserve called Boyd Hill. Camping, cabins, and a meal plan are available. Activities include music, ritual, drumming, Celtic games, bardic circles, authors, and special guests. The fesitival is now run by Temple of the Earth Gathering. E-mail:
[email protected].
Free Spirit Gathering.
A five and a half day (Tuesday through Sunday) festival held in mid-June the week before Father's Day. Approximately six hundred to one thousand people attend. FSG is held at a private campground in Darlington, Maryland (
http://ramblewood.com
). Cabins, hot showers, optional meal plans, and a canteen are available. Tents are welcome. Clothing optional, garb welcome. Workshops, sweat lodges, rituals, dancing and drumming, children's programming. Address: Free Spirit, P.O. Box 94, Lambertville, NJ 08530.
Gaia GatheringâCanadian 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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected] or
[email protected].
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 GatheringâSpring Gathering.
The Mid-Atlantic Men's gathering happens on two weekendsâone 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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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.