Pagan Unity Festival - Dorothy Morrison, MR Sellars, Clare Vaughn, John Michael Greer, Tish Owen - Friends Reunited
I am back from my recent trip to Nashville, TN where I attended Pagan Unity Festival. I was able to spend significant time with Dorothy Morrison and MR Sellars। Morrison and Sellars were a wealth of information and personal experience about publishing dos and don'ts. I could not be more grateful for their time and attention. I learned much that I will be putting into action and feel like I have met people who were as excited and passionate about publishing the written word as I am.
The festival itself was smaller than I had thought it would be। It was held at a beautiful location and was extremely well organized and run. Stone and I found ourselves a bit un-prepared when it came to feasting; however, the pleasant pagans there helped us out and we found both plates and silverware to get by with. We had a minor moment of unpleasantness caused by hard working volunteers colliding with needy festival goers. I learned a lot about what I won't do if I ever attend again. My advice? For Goddess sakes, bring your own water and don't go in the kitchen.
Other than that, however, it was extremely pleasant, well set up and well run. Tish Owen, the festival owner and organizer has written a book covering how to present a great event. I strongly recommend it. It is obvious that Owen knows what she is talking about! Chasing the Rainbow is a accumulation of Owen's experience. You can read a book review here।
Merchant Row was very small। I was disappointed that I didn't find the 3rd Degree pendant I am currently in the market for; however, I ran into Wilma, an acquaintance from Chattanooga, who owned the first metaphysical bookstore I ever stepped my big toe into. She had a small booth with great stuff and hasn't changed a bit!
The workshops were varied and I was extremely disappointed that I had missed the majority of the workshops presented by John Michael Greer on Druidry. I made the wondrous acquaintance of Myrddin and Narthariawen a few years back at a Pagan Pride Day। Up until this weekend, they were the only Druids I knew. Honestly, we hadn't ever actually discussed Druidry so I learned a lot this weekend about their beliefs. I finally got to ask about the validity of a workshop I went to a few years ago about the history of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. I was pleased to find that Greer was very forth coming and honest. There was no thinly veiled assumptions that the Order of Druids in America actually was "ancient" in terms of being many, many hundreds years old. I enjoyed Greer's background in history immensely and thoroughly enjoyed being among his caliber of intellectual study and skill.
I attended workshops by Morrison and Sellars and enjoyed the practicality of their approach, the depth of their knowledge on the subjects they presented and the easy manner in which they presented them। The only disturbing thing was how much alike Morrison and I were in appearance. The last time I saw her I was really taken by how strange it must be to have two short-silver-haired witches about the same height hugging each other. Take that and the fact that we are both tried and true Taurus, it was a bit eerier for me. Sellars was a delight as well. I appreciated how uplifting and supportive they both were. It was inspiring and refreshing. I came home ready to continue to chase the manifestation of publication.
There is a new book written by Clare Vaughn with some information contributed by John Michael Greer called, Pagan Prayer Beads. The book was unveiled at this gathering. I did not attend the workshop due to time constraints. Those of you who know me, know I have been making different types of pagan prayer beads and charms for years and years. The prayer bead section was the number one referenced section on the FWTI website for a time. I was interested to ask Vaughn and Greer about the relationship between their work and the work done by Reclaiming. Greer told me he was unaware that some publication had already covered something about pagan prayer beads. For general information, in The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk, M. Macha Nightmare and the Reclaiming Collective, Donald L. Engstrom covers pagan prayer beads on pages 40 through 44, first published in 1997। I found Vaughn to be passionate and genuine and as equally brilliant as her husband. It is obvious why they are a match.
In addition to food, workshops and good information, I ran into Cherie, Leslie and Timothy, old acquaintances of mine from my days in Chattanooga। It was nice to see them looking well and happy. They were thoroughly engrossed in everything Greer had to say. It was fabulous to listen to Timothy discussing his various views on things once again.
I also finally caught back up with Sharon, my friend from my days in High School in Tucker in the mid '80s। She has two lovely children, a fabulous home and is a hard working small business owner these days. I am so proud to call her friend. She inspires me to do and be things I have yet to accomplish. Her support and love overwhelm me and her beauty is unchanged. If it hadn't been for Sharon, I would not have attend PUF in the first place. She goes to the Goddess and The Moon in Nashville to shop (Tish Owen is the store owner). I really enjoyed seeing Sharon. I even slept in the same bed we used to sleep in as teenagers. It was really funny and felt an awful lot like coming home. It is great to be loved unconditionally and accepted without prejudice.
This weekend I am off to teach Birthing Hereditary Witchcraft and spend some significant time with my Family Coven. I can't wait! I am, however, going to be very busy this week, consequently.
