L to R; Craig, Tully, Paul, Kenneth, and Gordon.
One of many wonderful conversations.
Paul Mitchell in concert saturday night
Kenneth's workshop on sunday.
Giving a gift of water back to the plant for its offering of itself.Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Photos II
L to R; Craig, Tully, Paul, Kenneth, and Gordon. One of many wonderful conversations. Paul Mitchell in concert saturday night Kenneth's workshop on sunday. Giving a gift of water back to the plant for its offering of itself.
Event pictures
As close as I was going to get to of the snakes
Somewhat shows them in the triple spiral
Group shot of opening ritual
During Gordon's workshop
Our ADF Rising Phoenix friends
The weekend's proceedings
Despite slightly higher than projected and average temperatures, and a few “unique delays such as mating Diamondback Rattlesnakes (nope, not kidding), I believe we can call the first Southwestern Druid’s Equinox Grove Gathering a success. Much information was shared, many new friends were made, and copious amounts of fun were had by all.
In addition to our own AODA members present (Gordon, Kenneth, Craig, and I) there were members from several other Druid Organizations. A wonderful couple who is with OBOD came all the way from Idaho, The leader of the FoDLA Grove Earth Love Fellowship and her friend were present, as were some of the members of the ADF Rising Phoenix Grove and their Senior Druid.
Others who were present were a family that are Kenneth’s good friends, Kenneth’s wife (who was kind enough to do much running around town when needed) and my son Rob who aided me and took many wonderful photos which I will soon post here at the blog.
Of course, we cannot forget our friend from the UK, Paul Mitchell, who provided wonderful music for our entertainment and gave us such an insight from the British perspective of many of our conversations throughout the weekend. His comments added another wonderful layer of information to things.
Our total count for attendees was right about two dozen, I feel a wonderful turnout for this first time event that did overlap so many other group’s previous engagements.
Adjusting our plans to suit the weather (HOT!) and the arrival of attendees, Gordon, Kenneth and I elected to hold the “official” Opening Ritual on Saturday instead of Friday evening. Instead, it became a wonderful mix of discussions on a wide variety of topics and viewpoints followed by some traditional Folk Songs by Paul.
Saturday brought us quite the surprise, as those of us that were camping awoke to find two Diamondback Rattlesnakes mating in the Ramada we were using. Three hours later we were convinced that snakes are not in need of Viagra. One of the attendees was able to get a picture of the two actually forming a triple spiral with their bodies. As soon as she e-mails me that picture, I’ll post it here on the blog. This was felt by all to actually be a “good omen”. Craig even compared the scene to the “Druid Animal Oracle” deck he had with him...picture perfect as they say.
Due to last minute computer problems, Gordon, Kenneth, and Paul arrived back at the camp late in the morning. Kenneth’s wonderful wife began her quest to get some of Gordon’s workshop material printed, which turned out to be quite the daunting task. With the late start, and the day only getting warmer, the three of us elected to forego the opening ritual we had planned (a wonderful Mistletoe Rite written by my friend Finegas...which the three of us were looking forward to...followed by an AODA Grove Opening). Instead, we opted to go with the Druid Revival tradition of Calling Peace to the Quarters. By Gordon’s suggestion and mutual consent between the three of us, we did state during the Call for Peace that “there was not peace in the east” (due to the war) and that “the work for this was ongoing”.
Gordon Cooper’s workshop...WOW...how can I sum this up in just a few words!? Such wonderful information and to see how the threads of 18th and 19th Century ideas, spirituality, and thought are so deeply woven into and influential in our modern practices in ways that are so plain but just not visible at the casual glance. There was even a group participation of a ritual reading which Gordon had redacted in the style of The Chicago New Thought Golden Dawn. It was so very moving and you could just about taste the energy in the air from it after our reading.
That night came Paul Mitchell’s concert. “English Pagan Satirical Folk Musician” is a formal way to say that this is a wonderfully genuine person with a beautiful gift for music, who has a splendid sense of humor and wraps it all together. The easiest way I can describe his music (and him) is direct you to his web page; http://www.myspace.com/pagansatire especially the tune “A far better Pagan...”. We have found out, though, that for some reason scorpions are attracted to the hats of English Pagan Satirical Folk Musicians (just like with the snakes, not kidding, three of them tried to go home with him).
Sunday morning brought us no copulating snakes, but definite warm temperatures. A he stated in a AODA Yahoo Group post, Craig had to take his leave of us that morning. He was certainly missed.
The good Dr. Kenneth Proefrock’s workshop on Local Herbalism was wonderful and informative. The way the information provided was blended with examples of his own family’s practices and spirituality was beautiful. The discussions on “connection with the Divine” were quite moving and tied in seamlessly with many connecting themes in Gordon’s workshop the previous day.
As many of us had quite a long drive ahead of us, we elected to close this wonderful gathering at that point. Gordon and I “concluded the work” to the quarters (again saying that work in the east was ongoing). Gordon made an open request for anyone who may have a request or offering for the good of the Grove or the Earth. Many wonderful suggestions and requests were made by all, including peace, prosperity, health, and safe travel. All swore their faithful service to the Earth Our Home and Mother upon the bared blade. One could feel all the energy that we had raised over the wonderful weekend returning to the ground as would water after a soothing rain shower as I led us all sun-wise from our circle of friends.
Yet before everyone departed, I asked Gordon to tell us the Revival Druidry Parable of Mortimer. The weekend would just have not been complete without an Ogham-laden Penguin sighting in the desert southwest...
As I had told everyone during our discussions on Friday night;
“This is what I envision Druids doing, be it Ancient Druids from across the Celtic Lands or our Druid Revival Forbearers. We are ‘engaging’ ourselves in Druidry...sharing information, discussing problems, working out solutions and enjoying each other’s company throughout the process. We’re doing work together that knows no boundaries, for our families, for the environment, for the future. This is what Modern Druids do...”
I would like to sincerely thank everyone that attended. I am deeply honored to have met you all and feel privileged to call you all friends.
In addition to our own AODA members present (Gordon, Kenneth, Craig, and I) there were members from several other Druid Organizations. A wonderful couple who is with OBOD came all the way from Idaho, The leader of the FoDLA Grove Earth Love Fellowship and her friend were present, as were some of the members of the ADF Rising Phoenix Grove and their Senior Druid.
Others who were present were a family that are Kenneth’s good friends, Kenneth’s wife (who was kind enough to do much running around town when needed) and my son Rob who aided me and took many wonderful photos which I will soon post here at the blog.
Of course, we cannot forget our friend from the UK, Paul Mitchell, who provided wonderful music for our entertainment and gave us such an insight from the British perspective of many of our conversations throughout the weekend. His comments added another wonderful layer of information to things.
Our total count for attendees was right about two dozen, I feel a wonderful turnout for this first time event that did overlap so many other group’s previous engagements.
Adjusting our plans to suit the weather (HOT!) and the arrival of attendees, Gordon, Kenneth and I elected to hold the “official” Opening Ritual on Saturday instead of Friday evening. Instead, it became a wonderful mix of discussions on a wide variety of topics and viewpoints followed by some traditional Folk Songs by Paul.
Saturday brought us quite the surprise, as those of us that were camping awoke to find two Diamondback Rattlesnakes mating in the Ramada we were using. Three hours later we were convinced that snakes are not in need of Viagra. One of the attendees was able to get a picture of the two actually forming a triple spiral with their bodies. As soon as she e-mails me that picture, I’ll post it here on the blog. This was felt by all to actually be a “good omen”. Craig even compared the scene to the “Druid Animal Oracle” deck he had with him...picture perfect as they say.
Due to last minute computer problems, Gordon, Kenneth, and Paul arrived back at the camp late in the morning. Kenneth’s wonderful wife began her quest to get some of Gordon’s workshop material printed, which turned out to be quite the daunting task. With the late start, and the day only getting warmer, the three of us elected to forego the opening ritual we had planned (a wonderful Mistletoe Rite written by my friend Finegas...which the three of us were looking forward to...followed by an AODA Grove Opening). Instead, we opted to go with the Druid Revival tradition of Calling Peace to the Quarters. By Gordon’s suggestion and mutual consent between the three of us, we did state during the Call for Peace that “there was not peace in the east” (due to the war) and that “the work for this was ongoing”.
Gordon Cooper’s workshop...WOW...how can I sum this up in just a few words!? Such wonderful information and to see how the threads of 18th and 19th Century ideas, spirituality, and thought are so deeply woven into and influential in our modern practices in ways that are so plain but just not visible at the casual glance. There was even a group participation of a ritual reading which Gordon had redacted in the style of The Chicago New Thought Golden Dawn. It was so very moving and you could just about taste the energy in the air from it after our reading.
That night came Paul Mitchell’s concert. “English Pagan Satirical Folk Musician” is a formal way to say that this is a wonderfully genuine person with a beautiful gift for music, who has a splendid sense of humor and wraps it all together. The easiest way I can describe his music (and him) is direct you to his web page; http://www.myspace.com/pagansatire especially the tune “A far better Pagan...”. We have found out, though, that for some reason scorpions are attracted to the hats of English Pagan Satirical Folk Musicians (just like with the snakes, not kidding, three of them tried to go home with him).
Sunday morning brought us no copulating snakes, but definite warm temperatures. A he stated in a AODA Yahoo Group post, Craig had to take his leave of us that morning. He was certainly missed.
The good Dr. Kenneth Proefrock’s workshop on Local Herbalism was wonderful and informative. The way the information provided was blended with examples of his own family’s practices and spirituality was beautiful. The discussions on “connection with the Divine” were quite moving and tied in seamlessly with many connecting themes in Gordon’s workshop the previous day.
As many of us had quite a long drive ahead of us, we elected to close this wonderful gathering at that point. Gordon and I “concluded the work” to the quarters (again saying that work in the east was ongoing). Gordon made an open request for anyone who may have a request or offering for the good of the Grove or the Earth. Many wonderful suggestions and requests were made by all, including peace, prosperity, health, and safe travel. All swore their faithful service to the Earth Our Home and Mother upon the bared blade. One could feel all the energy that we had raised over the wonderful weekend returning to the ground as would water after a soothing rain shower as I led us all sun-wise from our circle of friends.
Yet before everyone departed, I asked Gordon to tell us the Revival Druidry Parable of Mortimer. The weekend would just have not been complete without an Ogham-laden Penguin sighting in the desert southwest...
As I had told everyone during our discussions on Friday night;
“This is what I envision Druids doing, be it Ancient Druids from across the Celtic Lands or our Druid Revival Forbearers. We are ‘engaging’ ourselves in Druidry...sharing information, discussing problems, working out solutions and enjoying each other’s company throughout the process. We’re doing work together that knows no boundaries, for our families, for the environment, for the future. This is what Modern Druids do...”
I would like to sincerely thank everyone that attended. I am deeply honored to have met you all and feel privileged to call you all friends.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wonderful weekend!
Just a quick note right now, as I will post a more detailed account of our wonderful weekend later.
I wanted to thank all those that attended, and meeting all of you was fantastic! New friends are always a welcome blessing.
The weather certainly was a factor and we are already discussing holding next year's gathering in a cooler climate and scheduling it to try and avoid overlaps with other events.
Again, thank you to all those that were in attendance!
Blessings of the season!
I wanted to thank all those that attended, and meeting all of you was fantastic! New friends are always a welcome blessing.
The weather certainly was a factor and we are already discussing holding next year's gathering in a cooler climate and scheduling it to try and avoid overlaps with other events.
Again, thank you to all those that were in attendance!
Blessings of the season!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
All is go for this weekend!
Temperatures for the weekend are projected to be 100 for a high and 75 for a low. Winds will be slight, around 5-10mph.
Remember, arrival time is between 2-5pm on friday. Our "offical" start will be at 5pm friday with our opening ritual.
We are eagerly looking forward to seeing our freinds, both old and new, this weekend!
P.S.!!!
Don't forget your sunscreen and plenty of liquids...or your eagerness to just have fun!
Remember, arrival time is between 2-5pm on friday. Our "offical" start will be at 5pm friday with our opening ritual.
We are eagerly looking forward to seeing our freinds, both old and new, this weekend!
P.S.!!!
Don't forget your sunscreen and plenty of liquids...or your eagerness to just have fun!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Additional Information and Reminders
I have been speaking with Deedra Brown, the Senior Druid of the ADF Grove of the Rising Phoenix. She and some of her grove members will be in attendance. The Grove of the Rising Phoenix will have an information booth set up.
There will also be a communal Information Table set up for any other Group or Organization who wishes to use it.
(the coordinators of this event do reserve the right to disallow any material that they deem offensive or that is not fitting with the event's theme, which is "cooperation between varied spiritual practices")
*REMINDER*
Bring plenty of liquids to keep yourself hydrated! Although temperatures have cooled off some as we get closer to fall in the Desert Southwest, it will still be hot and sunny!
*REMINDER*
Food is a "bring your own" situation.
*REMINDER*
No glass containers (per park regulations).
We will naturally be following the "Pack it in and pack it out" rule. Whatever trash we make, we will be taking care of ourselves. Let's make this whole event as "Low Impact" on the Earth as we can!
*REMINDER*
The Day-Use Fee for the Park is $6 per vehicle, and the Overnight Camping Fee is $12 per vehicle. These are paid to the Park at the entrance. Those attending this event are responsible for their own Park Fees.
**NOTICE**
If there are any Groups that will be in attendance and wish to utilize the 2 to 3 hour block of time alloted on Sunday the 21st to perform a Ritual or Working, please contact either Tully or Kenneth (the event coordinators) at the event no later than Paul Mitchell's concert on Saturday, or via e-mail ( myrddynemrys@gmail.com ) prior to 9/18/08. This event is focused on cooperation between our various groups, and we would love to see other rituals performed. This will naturally be a "fist come, first up" situation.
There will also be a communal Information Table set up for any other Group or Organization who wishes to use it.
(the coordinators of this event do reserve the right to disallow any material that they deem offensive or that is not fitting with the event's theme, which is "cooperation between varied spiritual practices")
*REMINDER*
Bring plenty of liquids to keep yourself hydrated! Although temperatures have cooled off some as we get closer to fall in the Desert Southwest, it will still be hot and sunny!
*REMINDER*
Food is a "bring your own" situation.
*REMINDER*
No glass containers (per park regulations).
We will naturally be following the "Pack it in and pack it out" rule. Whatever trash we make, we will be taking care of ourselves. Let's make this whole event as "Low Impact" on the Earth as we can!
*REMINDER*
The Day-Use Fee for the Park is $6 per vehicle, and the Overnight Camping Fee is $12 per vehicle. These are paid to the Park at the entrance. Those attending this event are responsible for their own Park Fees.
**NOTICE**
If there are any Groups that will be in attendance and wish to utilize the 2 to 3 hour block of time alloted on Sunday the 21st to perform a Ritual or Working, please contact either Tully or Kenneth (the event coordinators) at the event no later than Paul Mitchell's concert on Saturday, or via e-mail ( myrddynemrys@gmail.com ) prior to 9/18/08. This event is focused on cooperation between our various groups, and we would love to see other rituals performed. This will naturally be a "fist come, first up" situation.
Archdruid Gordon Cooper's Workshop, Saturday the 20th
Here is a more detailed outline of Archdruid Cooper’s workshop for those who will be attending.
The workshop will begin at 9 am and each session will run approximately forty minutes to one hour in length.
There will be handouts and CD’s for the participants.
SESSION ONE; begins with a classical, actual 19th century séance for those who choose to participate.
Entering The Silence, The Concentration and then, The Meditation (message) will be staged in proper sequence with explanations, a history from Alchemy to Mesmer, to A.J. Davis, et al. (I assume that most of the attendees can already meditate. Should this not be the case, this session might run a bit longer.)
SESSION TWO; continues with the ways that Spiritualism and kindred movements interacted with the rapidly changing Victorian technologies and their paradigms. Victorian Arts, recreations, and Sciences consume the bulk of this time slot. Period directions for a magic mirror will be shared.
SESSION THREE; will be devoted to the flaws found in Spiritualism, and the fixes will be explored. This transitions into "New Thought" by 1880, and a host of other disciplines variously grouped as Magnetic Healing, Mesmeric Healing, Absent Healing, etc. The Framework of the New Thought Universe will be detailed as this is the structure that the US Golden Dawn was built around. You could indeed call this "The Only Course in Magnetic Healing You Will Ever Want".
SESSION FOUR; is devoted entirely to "Tool Set Delsarte". The history, practical metaphysical and esoteric applications and psychology of Delsartism will be explored. Applications and practical demonstrations will be a major focus of the last third or so of this hour. I will share some of the Delsarte work I have developed, always open to change, improvement, further exploration.
FIVE ***LUNCHBREAK***
SESSION SIX;-for lack of a better way to group all of this, #6 is about the "Ecologies of Spirits" paradigm that I have been exploring on the Gnostic Druid list, and elsewhere. It will include a discussion of Kropotkin's Mutualism and its direct descendant, the Mutualism of modern ecological systems.
SESSION SEVEN; (A short session) will close with a dramatic performance reading of my 2.1 redaction of the "Bornless One" Ritual. This will cover some of the possibilities inherent in the writings of Atkinson and others in the US Magical community. This continues from "Ecologies of Spirits". This hour will firmly grab and hold onto the "Third Rail" of 19th Century Esotericism, revealing some surprising ideas that were in common circulation 100+ years ago. Later in this session, I will be talking about the many sorts of beings who traditionally play one or more roles in the religions of many native groups who have retained large bits of their tradition, including the Koreans, some Siberian groups, etc., and relating them to the Western traditions as applied and lived today. "Malkuth-Challenged Relatives" will end this series proper.
SESSION EIGHT; (give or take) will be the “Secret Lecture”, given time and interest.
The workshop will begin at 9 am and each session will run approximately forty minutes to one hour in length.
There will be handouts and CD’s for the participants.
SESSION ONE; begins with a classical, actual 19th century séance for those who choose to participate.
Entering The Silence, The Concentration and then, The Meditation (message) will be staged in proper sequence with explanations, a history from Alchemy to Mesmer, to A.J. Davis, et al. (I assume that most of the attendees can already meditate. Should this not be the case, this session might run a bit longer.)
SESSION TWO; continues with the ways that Spiritualism and kindred movements interacted with the rapidly changing Victorian technologies and their paradigms. Victorian Arts, recreations, and Sciences consume the bulk of this time slot. Period directions for a magic mirror will be shared.
SESSION THREE; will be devoted to the flaws found in Spiritualism, and the fixes will be explored. This transitions into "New Thought" by 1880, and a host of other disciplines variously grouped as Magnetic Healing, Mesmeric Healing, Absent Healing, etc. The Framework of the New Thought Universe will be detailed as this is the structure that the US Golden Dawn was built around. You could indeed call this "The Only Course in Magnetic Healing You Will Ever Want".
SESSION FOUR; is devoted entirely to "Tool Set Delsarte". The history, practical metaphysical and esoteric applications and psychology of Delsartism will be explored. Applications and practical demonstrations will be a major focus of the last third or so of this hour. I will share some of the Delsarte work I have developed, always open to change, improvement, further exploration.
FIVE ***LUNCHBREAK***
SESSION SIX;-for lack of a better way to group all of this, #6 is about the "Ecologies of Spirits" paradigm that I have been exploring on the Gnostic Druid list, and elsewhere. It will include a discussion of Kropotkin's Mutualism and its direct descendant, the Mutualism of modern ecological systems.
SESSION SEVEN; (A short session) will close with a dramatic performance reading of my 2.1 redaction of the "Bornless One" Ritual. This will cover some of the possibilities inherent in the writings of Atkinson and others in the US Magical community. This continues from "Ecologies of Spirits". This hour will firmly grab and hold onto the "Third Rail" of 19th Century Esotericism, revealing some surprising ideas that were in common circulation 100+ years ago. Later in this session, I will be talking about the many sorts of beings who traditionally play one or more roles in the religions of many native groups who have retained large bits of their tradition, including the Koreans, some Siberian groups, etc., and relating them to the Western traditions as applied and lived today. "Malkuth-Challenged Relatives" will end this series proper.
SESSION EIGHT; (give or take) will be the “Secret Lecture”, given time and interest.
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