Gathering at the Mystic Crossroads of Cloudcroft 2007

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The 2007 Summer Solstice camp out was a wonderful trip to the mountains of SE NM as well as a coming together of people from many different paths, traditions and ways.  54 people joined the Strix Temple of Hekate’s Torch in their annual retreat and represented the: Druids from the Willow Leaf Grove of Lubbock, TX; Asatru from the Lubbock Kindred; members of the Pagan Pride Day committee from Las Cruces, NM; Hermitic Wicca with Cumae from Roswell, NM; traditional Wiccans from Albuquerque, NM; and many eclectics and shamanic folks from around SE NM, AZ and W TX.

 

Most of us arrived at the Lower Fir Group Camp Site in Cloudcroft on Thursday, 6/21/07.  While the valley was hotter than a furnace, the temperature at 9,000+’ was in the high 70s.  Meals were on our own the first night.  Jonathan (Diana’s Nemesis) led us in evening prayers and an informal welcome or opening.  In lieu of a ritual, we held an oracular divination, invoking Hekate to speak to the people.   Nemesis the Cynthia’s voice gave out after several personal messages.  Diana’s Nemesis stepped up to the task and invoked Diana to complete the messages.  Most found their interaction with the deities compelling.  The night stayed fairly warm and there was a nice fire at the fire pit that evening.

 

Friday began and ended well weather wise.  We did experience rain and hail in the afternoon and early evening.  The workshops were well received.  Friday’s workshops included Witchlet Fun (games, songs and crafts for our younger sect) conducted by Amaris of Hekate’s Torch; Songs & Chants presented by Artemisia of Hekate’s Torch (the favorite song being, ‘The Almighty Hand of God’ by John Butler); and Ritual Dance presented by Diana’s Nemesis.  The Playful Divine Goddess workshop had to be cancelled due to presenter Bella from Hekate’s Torch,  not feeling well.  We enjoyed a communal meal of hot dogs and hamburgers with chili and all the condiments.  Dessert included S’mores.  Always nice to have comfort food on a camp out and after all, chocolate is divine in any shape or form.  A lesson in Bardic tradition was given by Carrie from AZ (thank you Carrie!!!).  Everyone was asked to bring a song, legend, lore, mythos, etc…to the formal Bardic Circle to be held Saturday night.  Later that evening we held a Wild Hunt.  The rain did cooperate although it was nippy.  The Priestess Artemisia dressed as Artemis led the hunt.  Everyone hunted for the effigy for sacrifice to Apollo during the Thargelia ritual.  We were treated to meeting 3 messengers of Hekate each holding one of Hekate’s symbols; a torch, a sickle, and a key.  Each challenged us to see past illusions in our life (the torch), cut from our life what was waste (the sickle), and what life doorways would we open or lock behind us (the key).  The hunt ended with Diana’s Nemesis, having invoked Diana, delivering a public message for unity and love.  Medea of Hekate’s Torch was acknowledged as the chosen Pharmakos (scapegoat), blessed and named keeper of the goat effigy until the Thargelia Saturday afternoon.

 

Saturday began with breakfast burritos.  Then we had other workshops including: Druid Living presented by Sulin from Lubbock, TX; Potions presented by Tisiphone of Hekate’s Torch (making a tincture); henna designs for the hands, drawn and applied by Saradin of Hekate’s Torch; an herbal hike with Sabine (from Las Cruces), and more songs and chants.  Thargelia was celebrated that afternoon.  This ritual in honor of Apollo is adapted from the ancient Athenian custom of public releasing of darker passions and memories (such as anger, hatred, and disappointment) through physical application into the Pharmakos.  It is a very emotional ritual and also very cleansing.  The Pharmakos then placed all the collected emotions the people wish to be rid of into the effigy.  The effigy was sacrificed to Apollo by fire.  We offered libation and bread to each of us, for the intentions of others, and to our world.  Everyone was drained from the ritual and there were lots of blessed tears.  Dinner consisted of pork roasts with choice of sauce (cherry, shrimp, or red chili), jambalaya, and spinach and fruit salads.  Kudos to our head chefs Enoc and Amergin!!   The evening’s Bardic and drumming circles were awesome!   Aaron and Michelle, Druids from the Willow Leaf Grove of Lubbock, TX, had us all near tears from laughing at their newly formed group the worships the B-A-R-E God.  We were regaled with beautiful songs, poetry, and toasts prior to the drumming circle.  Mucho thanks to Amergin for singing the God Song and the Pagan’s Lament which moved more than one of us to tears.  Desert was provided by Sabine and friends in the form of a HUGE full sheet cake with Celebrations at the Mystic Crossroads printed on it.  It was a long day and the fire burned into the wee hours of the morning. 

 

Sunday I was awakened by a visit by the Dark Lord of Eeyore (aka John the Druid in Winnie-the-Pooh PJs).  After breakfast and packing was done, we gathered around the fire ring one last time for closing ritual conducted by John and Aaron from the Druidic Willow Leaf Grove.  We circled to the haunting song ‘Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again’ by Heather Jinmaku.  And, as Pagans one and all – regardless of tradition or path, we hugged one another and look forward to next year.

 

On behalf of the Strix Temple of Hekate’s Torch (and on a personal level as well), I want to thank everyone who attended the event.  I would like to especially thank…

• All the workshop presenters: Amaris, Tisiphone, Amergin, Carrie, Artemisia, Diana’s Nemesis (who also conducted morning and evening prayers), Saradin, Sabine, and Sulin
• Our wonderful self-appointed fire starters/watchers: Russ, Nathan, Amergin, Rick, and Meegan
• The Coffee Crew who kept us in hot and most delicious coffee: Conrad, Kathy and Joseph
• Our beloved Pharmakos: Medea
• The Bards and Drummers: especially Carrie, Amergin, Shelly, Nathan, Jason, Sulin, Aaron and her priestesses of renown!
• Our local Roswell Witchy Shop: Cumae and friends
• Our heartfelt thanks to all who made the trip (some from great distances), in spite of having to sleep on the ground in many cases!  We hope you found companionship, love and peace among us.
• Lastly, but not least, I wish to personally thank all the members of the Strix Temple of Hekate’s Torch.  Without your help, love and dedication, this event would not have happened.  Thank YOU my brothers and sisters.

 

So if you find yourself seeking something different to do during Summer Solstice, 2008, consider gathering with us in the mountains of Cloudcroft.  Blessed Be!

 

Olympias

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