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 festivalâmostly 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 electricityâjust like the âgood 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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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 exploreâand 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:
[email protected] and
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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 GatheringâSamhain.
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected] or Liz Guerra at
[email protected].
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 ChurchâHSF, P.O. Box 409, Index, WA 98256. Phone: 360-793-1945. E-mail:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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 GatheringâFall 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:
[email protected] (but they live off the grid so regular mail is just as fast).