Coming Home from PSG

I returned home from Pagan Spirit Gathering at 1am on Monday morning.  My heart was heavy, yet lifted.

I participated in the PSG Media Camp, representing The Firefly Chronicles.  With me were Star Foster from Pagan Portal at Patheos.com, Cara Schultz from the Minnesota Bureau of the Pagan Newswire Collective, and Dave Grega of the Pagan Centered Podcast.  There were other members of the Pagan media camping in other places around our little village.

I had the privilege to teach two classes.  I gave a reprise of Lunar Explosion: Moon Magick class, as well as debuted a class about Video Production for Pagan Media.

I attended many wonderful classes that have already  helped me take my path further.  This included interfaith work, Pagan prison ministry, and end-of-life care.  As our administrators and teachers deepen our knowledge and experience, we bring that to you.  But a festival such as PSG has so many classes and activities to offer, the choices are really endless.  At least two dozen classes are offered each day, and it's sometimes hard to choose which ones to attend.

I attended two rituals, though I wish I had the energy and time for more.  The opening ritual was incredible.  PSG has a new home at Stonehouse Park this year, and the ritual space is an actual grove.  Several hundred people packed around the bonfire, chanting and singing, listening to spoken word from many different paths, and then lighting several hundred sparklers.  Looking up at the glittering sparklers through the trees to the sunset was an amazing sight.

I also attended a Redneck Ritual put on in part by a couple of gals from the DC Pagan community.  Get R Done! (instead of So Mote It Be) was the theme.  Here is a full report from DC-PNC: http://www.capitalwitch.com/2011/06/dc-community-members-at-pagan-spirit.html

And, I spent a lot of time listening to the stories of Patrick McCollum, Circle Sanctuary minister and Wiccan elder.  Patrick's work in the interfaith realm has stopped wars and earned Pagans a seat at the major interfaith table.  Patrick's travels and work are so important for Pagans and humanity in general.  At the very least, read his blog about his travels.  For more information: http://www.patrickmccollum.org/

Patrick is also currently involved in a court case that started out about religious discrimination in prisons, but has taken a turn for the worst.  The June 2011 court ruling against Patrick and the way the judges wrote the opinion, their decision has the potential to cause major employment problems for Pagans.  It was a cut and dry case of religious discrimination, but the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as well as the 9th Circuit Court have done their best to make sure that the evidence has not been heard.  For more information or to find out what you can do to help protect our religious freedom: http://www.pagancivilrights.org

Those of us who do video were called to record some of the most special moments of the festival.  Selena Fox and Dennis Carpenter renewed their vows on Summer Solstice as a part of their 25th anniversary celebration.  Two members of the Circle Sanctuary community were ordained as ministers.  And, there are always multicultural performances, ritual elements, and workshops.

If you haven't attended Pagan Spirit Gathering, it is most certainly an event worth traveling across the country for.  Nearly one thousand folks from all over the country (and some from overseas) attended this festival.  And, it's not really camping, it was more of "glamping" as Star Foster called it.  Star and Cara Schultz made many gourmet meals, and our camp was well-fed.  And, maybe we could have a little Firefly camp in future years!  For more information: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/psg/