Well, another Gathering has come and gone.  Here are some of my thoughts and musings on our event.

We arrived at the campground on Thursday and found the site had been cared for and manicured and ready for our arrival.  The parking lot and tent sites were filling with people before we arrived.  We counted a total of 56 attendees for the event, including some day-trippers that joined us on Saturday. 

 
Some of the tents brought by campers fell prey to the hail, tearing the roofs and plastic “skylights”, letting water come in and soak the floors of the tents as well as some of the belongings.  After consultation with the organizers, it was decided that the gathering be closed as some of the guests were ready and did pack and drive home.  Others were able to secure rooms in town, or bunk with guests that already had lodgings.  A few stalwarts, including Dean, Krista, Brenda and Lisa braved the elements and stayed behind at the site to make sure all was well. 

 
Workshops:  We had a variety of workshops during the 3 days of the gathering.  Aaron ran the children’s workshops, with the kids involved in various artistic endeavors.  Other workshops included Potions, Pagan Living & Dying, Herbs, Defense against the Dark Arts, Knots, Ceremonial Magick, and Tools.  The great majority of the feedback I have received on the workshops has been positive.  People liked the selection and variety offered and the presenters were wonderful to work with.  We have received suggestions for additional topics to be offered in future events and those will be looked at for possible inclusion.  All in all, a great part of the weekend.

 
Meals:  There were 3 hot prepared meals and 3 help yourself.  Thursday afternoon and evening meals were to be brought and prepared by the attendees.  Although it was stated in the camp list that went out to everyone, some folks still weren’t prepared.  But others came to the rescue, some went into town and no one went hungry.

 
Breakfast on Friday and Saturday consisted of cereal, donuts, oatmeal, etc.  Lunch included a selection of lunch meats, cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chips and drinks. Fruit was provided throughout the day for campers that needed a pick me up. 

 
Friday dinner featured “traditional” campout fare, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, Frito pie, chips and drinks.  Saturday breakfast had everyone enjoying the breakfast burritos prepared by Robert & Michelle and Dean.  Russ, Gary, and Robert prepared fresh crisp bacon to go along with the burritos. Saturday dinner, the feast of the gathering consisted of Roast pork, jambalaya, corn cobettes, spinach salad (provided by Ryan), and rolls.  As always, there was a constant supply of coffee and hot water for hot cocoa.  Thanks to the lucky HPs and a raffle at the Women’s History Month luncheon, the Temple provided a full decorated sheet cake that served as dessert and for the weekend.

 
The one issue I found with the kitchen area was too much traffic, especially during preparation.  Too often, people, especially children, were coming into the cooking area or running around the grills, creating a danger to them and the kitchen staff.  As a result, future gatherings will have different prep and serving procedures with the kitchen area cordoned off for safety.

 
Speakers:  Both of our guest speakers, Kristin Madden and Bronwen Forbes, were wonderful.  Kristin arrived with her husband Dave and son Karl. Bronwen brought her sweet puppy along for the ride.  I heard nothing but positive reports from people that not only attended their lectures but were able to talk them one on one.  Both ladies were only too happy to share of themselves their knowledge, belief systems and opinions.  Their joint lecture was the most attended and probably received the most positive feedback.
 

Rituals:  On Thursday night, an oracular was held for the guests attending.  We were honored by Hermes, Hekate and Kore offering insights and messages to those wishing to approach and hear that message.  It was a powerful event and I believe that folks came away with a sense of belonging and answers to issues and questions that are in their lives.

 
Friday evening included a Wild Hunt led by Artemis.  The guests participating were led to gatekeepers with a message and challenges for community.  The hunt culminated in a message from the Pharmakos, and re-assurance that her part in the main ritual was not only voluntary, but is an honor and one that she was proud to assume.

 
Main Ritual:  About 20 people participated in Thargelia.  As always, it was a very moving and intense ritual.  Many of those that chose to participate and release their issues into the Pharmakos were new to camp and to the ritual.  There was a lot of pain and a lot of tears.  It was good to see so many people of different paths and traditions come forward to comfort those in need.  The THT members conducted the formal part of the ritual and the explanation of the ceremony and what was being accomplished. 

 
I was told by some that it was the most stirring and powerful ritual they had ever seen or been part of.  I was also told by a few attendees that it was perhaps too much for them and was beyond what they had expected.  A couple of folks left after the beginning of the ritual and later told me that it wasn’t for them.  I appreciated that they left the area quietly and did not disrupt the ritual.  I explained that I understood that the ways of the Strix and THT may not be for everyone, and thanked them for their respecting our ways.

 
The highlight of the ritual, and indeed the entire event, was the storm that started right as we began.  With the rain staring, the altar and all of the participants moved under the shelter of the pavilion.  On several occasions, the ritual stopped to allow the hail to dissipate since balls of ice on a metal roof can out-shout even a High Priest.  During the spoken part of the ritual, as well as with the participatory part, there was thunder, lightning, and periods of deluge.  All of this, I believe, added to the intensity and awe of the event.

Finally, I believe that was an outstanding event.  We were able to have friends and fellow Pagans from Albuquerque, Lubbock, Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Las Vegas, Nevada, Tennessee and Alabama.  Even with the shortened time, and missed events like the traditional Bardic on Saturday night, there were plenty of activities to educate, enlighten and entertain.  I look forward to future gatherings with old friends and new folks joining us for the first time.

Dean and Herb workshop Death and Dying Workshop Kristin Madden with Indigo, and Artemisia Jaron and Druid tools workshop Kristin Madden So you want to be a Pagan Author workshop? Dancing the reel Jaron preparing to summon to the Wild Hunt Meeting a messenger on the Wild Hunt John, Clint, Aero, and Saradin Oly's evil fickle finger of Fate ^  The Goddess of Tarot - (In my humble opinion...Tricia) ^ Getting to know you! Preparing for the Wild Hunt Tisiphone, Elektra, Medea (our Pharmakos) Clint making breakfast "Our camp T-shirts, design created by our Aero" New Mystic Crossroads 2008 Photo slide show Click to view in new window