I am back from PUF and have to say I had a great time. Christopher Penczak's main ritual was amazing and spiritually altering. I can't express in words how grateful I am. Of course, another Llewellyn Worldwide author team was at PUFthis year. River and Joyce Higgenbotham were in attendance and presented their two books that have been released through Llewellyn Worldwide.
What PUF event would be complete without the attendance of Dorothy Morrison and MR Sellars? They
seem to attend every year and bring the party with them!
I also met Gina Estevez who was a beautiful soul and had much in common with me in regards to how I view the tarot। We shared dinner together and she is a soul I would love to spend more time with.
I had spent time before with Christopher Penczak's and thoroughly enjoyed him। Stone went to one of his workshops and found it interesting। I was very tired this trip and did the Birthing Hereditary Witchcraft classes back to back, so I didn't get to go to very many classes myself. I went to the Writer's Work shop and enjoyed
that seminar as much as I did last year.
Stone and I both enjoyed spending time with Ellen Dugan. I couldn't get her website to work so I haven't listed it. However, I looked over the books she has also written through Llewellyn Worldwide and got pretty excited about her. She is funny and very down to earth. I can't wait to be at other festivals with her and wear our very none witchy clothing together. She also took me aside and gave me a big huge and said, "Welcome to the family. I think your going to be great!" It was so uplifting to have such loving support. She is all about gardening and we didn't even have time to talk about my urban garden (I know have two green tomatoes in my tomato container. Although, I lost my pepper plant when the basil feel off the ledge and crushed it. It even had a baby pepper on it I was not happy!!!! My lemon balm is unstoppable; however, and I wish I knew more about drying herbs so that it wouldn't go to waste). I encourage everyone to pick up Ellen's books and book her for events. You will get a
vivacious, warm and welcoming author who is grounded in the earth and the magic we can all tap into there.
I also got to meet Shadowdancer. You can also friend Shadowdancer on MySpace। Jack, the lead singer was featured in Modern Witch Magazine's most recent issue and is the author of American Shamanism. As I listened to Jack sing with his group, I turned to Stone and said, "Damn, he does NOT suck!" Stone answered, "I know.
How cool is that?" His music blends Celtic and Appalachian influences and still sings about the gods, goddesses and witches that stir my soul. I was absolutely enchanted! I encourage you to get his CDs and order his book.
I found him to be a man of depth and of experience we would all benefit from exploring.
Stone went to a class taught by Scott Summers called "Exploring the Male Mysteries." Scott recommended
some books that I don't recall at the moment (maybe Stone could comment and give us the name of the books in question।) Stone was really inspired by Scott's workshop and actually wants to order the books. In my world, that is a big impact. Scott is a member and High Priest of Summerland Grove Pagan Church.
Stone attended the seminar with a new friend, Thor, who is a Buddhist and an Asatru. Those who follow my blog know that Tree Bear, my son, follows both paths and this was just too interesting to meet someone else who had blended the paths. Thor is a Division Manager with the Florida Pagan Gathering organization. FPG is one of the larger gatherings in Florida and Stone and I camped near them exchanging common ideas and thoughts.
Thor is interested in Quantum impact upon magic and although we never got around to talking about it, I feel that conversation in our near future. We also talked about the balance needed between the God and Goddess and how FPG was striving to find that balance in their presentations. It was a glorious conversation and I hope FPG will have me down there in 2009 (of course, only if I get my damn Cheetoes®) ((LOL)).
All in all, it was fun and relaxing and now it is time to pack up and turn around and start getting ready for StarFest.
