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.