Ah Womongathering, how I loved you so.  If you were reading us last year you will remember how excited we were to be going, all the wonderful workshops we attended, and how happy we were when we returned.  This year it is not in the cards for us to return.  Financial issues, health issues, and other concerns will see Lady Rose and I doing the staycation dance this year.  Though she is already dropping hints about making my birthday weekend (close to Womongathering itself) particularly special.

But, for those of you who might be able to attend, please note that registration is now open!!!

It is well worth the trip.  This year Womongathering will be held from June 11th through June 14th, 2009. The rituals and workshops Lady Rose and I attended were all wonderful.  The safe space, the wonderful women I was able to connect with, the natural setting, the drumming, the quiet.  But to be honest, if I had to pick one reason to go back it would be The Sacred Fire.

It is kept lit from opening ritual until closing ritual, held within a sacred circle(this year with a sacred pool as well) and surrounded by shrines to the elements/directions.  The Sacred Fire would be my reason for returning.  It is a spot where there is always someone acting as guardian, where you are always safe, where you can go for a few minutes or for as long as you need.

What a blessing, to be able to at any time, for any reason, on a whim, to be able to walk down a path to a spot set aside for worship.

I can remember cleansing myself before entering with a choice of salted water, sage, or even bells.

I can remember following the path to center and then choosing a spot that called to me whre I would sit and commune and just BE.

Sometimes I sat before the fire and thought of all the parts of myself that I wanted to see be burned away.  Sometimes I sat in front of the water and thought about all of the things I wanted to see contained within me.  Sometimes I sat in front of the elemental altars working with their energies.

Once I entered and left items on the altars for blessing knowing that I could trust that they would be there when I returned to claim them (and they were).  Once I entered, and made a full circuit, spending time at each sacred spot, speaking my heart to the Gods and asking that old hurts be left behind and leaving offerings behind as sacrifice.

Frankly, ….. I never wanted to leave it.  Even now, I miss the effortlessness of being able to simple enter sacred space, even when I lack the energy and focus (space or privacy) to create it.  I recommend it for anyone in those moments when, in the wonderful words of R.E.M. “the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone” (Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe).

As a Witch for over twenty years I know that I need no props, no tools, no fancy words or trappings to find the Gods.  They are within me and without me.  I am part of them and they are a part of everything.  I know this the way I know my name, the way I know my husband’s face, the way I know I love my kids.  I do not as much believe that this is true, I accept it as fact.  That being said … sometimes knowing things is not the same as being able to feel them.

I loved Womongathering.  I loved who I was while I was there as it showed me who I am capable of being.  Honestly though, I know that my life is not yet in a place that would let me hold on to the experience for very long upon returning home.   But that’s okay as there is plenty of spiritual work I can do here at home, and maybe next year will see us once again able to go.

Last year’s festival was focused on the Crone aspect of the Goddess, and the element of Water. This year’s focus is on all faces of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother, & Crone) and on the element of Earth. Please remember when you are looking at the cost of registration that it includes both your rooming and your meals. Food is all vegetarian and quite good.

For adults (13+)

• must be postmarked by May 30 $290
• must be postmarked by April 30 $280*
• must be postmarked by March 28 $270*

* (check or money order payments only to receive this early discount)

Children

• 3-6 $38
• 7-12 $64

For those who do go, feel free to drop a comment and let us know if you post about it.  I know that I’d love to live the experience a little vicariously this year.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS  Want to relive our Womongathering adventure from last year?

We’re AFK, But This is What We’re Doing: Part 1 – written in advance of trip

We’re AFK, But THis is What We’re Doing: Part 2 – written in advance of trip

We’re AFK, But This is What We’re Doing: Part 3 – written in advance of trip

On the Way Home from Womongathering – written in advance of trip

Friday at Womongathering

Saturday at Womongathering

Sunday at Womongathering

A chant that came to Lady Rose

• Spirit of Womongathering 2010...
• A Meandering Ramble and Update...
• Registration is ready for Spirit of Womongathering...

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