PaganPaul

OK, so it's been a full year since I posted anything in my dA journal, so I guess it's appropriate that I update the Samhain ritual. There were about 35 of us gathered in circle, and we had originally planned to hold it in the church's glen, but it was pouring rain out, so we held it inside the main hall instead. We were 30 minutes late starting - someone was complaining incessantly about the smell of the sage I'd smudged the area with - people kept suggesting last minute changes even though we were already running late - there had been no rehearsal at all - in short, it was a typical Pagan ritual. We were fortunate however to have the part

Sunday at church (yes, I attend a pagan-friendly UU church every Sunday) I officiated at our Samhain ritual for the congregation, both Pagan and non-Pagan alike. PEOPLE LOVED IT! As part of the service, I dedicated a doorway to the dead and invited the departed to come through and visit with their loved ones during the service. I then did a guided meditation, where the entire congregation passed through the doorway and visited the Land of the Ancestors for a while. People came up afterward and told me it was one of the most moving services we'd had at the church in years. It was a lot of work preparing for it, but it was soooooooo worth it

I just got back last night from the Free Spirit Alliance gathering at the Ramblewood Campgrounds in Darlington, MD! It was a freaking blast, and it was only a two hour drive to get there! There were Pagan workshops, lots and LOTS of nude people running around (yes, I was frequently one of them), a Polyamory workshop that Tina and I attended together (long story - if interested just ask me), and while the food was pretty much cafeteria quality, there was no shortage of it. There was also a very nice "clothing optional" pool that was available to all after being in the 92 degree heat all day. I was more interested in the workshops on subjects