As I mentioned previously, I was planning to attend the 6th Annual South Jersey Pagan Pride Day Event, well I did! And it was a very enjoyable day and I am so glad I went.

I left early in the morning, but the directions that I printed out from google were wrong (they said to take 70W, but I should have gotten off at 70E), and I ended up about 2 hours out of my way traveling back and forth on route 70 determined to find the street I was suppose to turn down to find the park where the event of was being held.   I had planned on arriving when it started by 9 a.m., but ended up arriving just before noon.

I stayed calm, played my Celtic Woman cd, and eventually called hubby and had him look up the directions again using a different online source. After a few more calls, a few more wrong turns, eventually I arrived at the lovely Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.  There were small Pagan Pride Day signs along the road near the park, and off in the distance I could see a large open area where lots of tables were set up, a play area for kids, lots of trees along the water, and sail boats on the lake.  The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold.

I found the welcome table easily, located right at the end of the parking area and before the very large grassy area where tables\booths were set up in a semi circle, with a small stage area in the center (labeled Mt. Olympus stage on the event map).  I introduced myself to the friendly folks behind the welcome table and picked up a booklet with the schedule and a map outlining where classes would be held, and brief bios for all the presentors.    On the right were stone bleachers all along one side of the grassy area with signs designating different class areas (labeled Athena, and Apollo).   There was also Pan’s Playground – an area set up for the kids to work on craft projects.   They also set up a collection bin near the welcome table for collecting nonperishable food items for donations.

I was just in time to take a class on crystals so headed over to the Apollo area of the bleachers.  The instructor, Nancy Tursi, gave everyone a few small crystals of rose quartz, peridot, and amethyst along with a nice printed out informative card for each.  She led a mediation first without the crystals and than again using each of the crystals one at time so we could feel the difference.  She encouraged each member of the class to discuss what they sensed and which stone they preferred.  We were than put into pairs and worked on each other sending healing energy to our partner using the crystal of their choice. 

After the class I made a tour of the various booths and tables - there were lots of vendors with a variety of  witchy wares (oh the temptations!), artists and green cleaning products, one for reiki and another for massage, two doing readings, and a few representing wiccan\pagan groups.  Not everyone had a business card or flyer, but I did pick up as many as I could and will list them below.

After I made a full circle of all the booths, I stopped at the last one and bought some raffle tickets (lots of various donated prizes from the various vendors) and you picked which one’s to drop your ticket(s) into for a chance to win including a handmade hooded cloak, books, tarot cards, items for children and much more.  After that I decided to eat my lunch which I had packed with me.  I found a picnic table near the parking area and read over the pamphlets and various handouts I had picked up while I enjoyed the sunshine, the music, and the relaxing atmosphere.  

After lunch, I strolled leisurely back to the booths and make a final decision on what to buy but also to see if I could find Karen – who I had only spoken with online through Facebook.  It was a posting on facebook by Karen that alerted me to the event in the first place and she said she was planning on having a booth (Karen does Angel Essence Massage and is a Bach Flower consultant).   I managed to find her and we shared a warm hug and smiles.  Her friend at the table with her turned out to be the instructor from the crystal’s class I had just taken.   Her friend is the founder of Double Visions – paranormal investigations.

After visiting with Karen a bit, I made a final round of the booths, selected a vendor to make a small purchase from (a young woman who was just starting out and was so new she didn’t even have a website yet), and for a little bit watched from the bleachers the ritual that had started in the area near the stage in the center.  It was about mid-afternoon and I was getting tired from my very long winding driving adventure to get there, so I decided to head on home a  bit early rather then stay until 5 pm when the event ended.  Fortunately, finding my way home only took about 45 minutes since I now knew which direction I should be heading

I had a very good time, and it was a great way to relax and spend the day outside with fellow wiccans and pagans.  I really enjoyed meeting new folks and passing out our business cards for 2 Witches Blog.   I also invited a couple of folks to contact us if they were interested in doing a guest post.   Some of the booths were very busy so I didn’t get a chance to speak with everyone.   I was impressed by how organized the event was and the park itself is a great space for holding such an event.   Lots of folks were there with their families and children.   The weather was perfect  so the turn out was good.  I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this event next year and hope to attend in 2010.

Other classes\workshops offered:  Past Lives, Goddess & the Grail, Pagan Podcasting, History of Wicca, Feri Tradition, Dance & Movement in Magick, Runes, Interfaith Families, Druid, Drum Circle, Asatru Blot.

Crafts for the kids:  Shake n Paint Swirly Abstact Art, beaded necklaces-bracelets,zip-per fobs and bookmarks, felt pumpkins-acorns-medicine pouches; foamy frames-leaf men-wrath of thanks.

Sampling of some of the tables\booths:

Red Oak Grove - a Neopagan Welsh Druidic group.
Sacred Wind Sanctuary - community of Earth-based faiths.  Note:  they have having a Samhain Festival, Nov. 1, 4:30 – 10:00 pm in Howell, NJ, $10 donation or $5 with potluck donation – festive drum circle, handmade crafts, and fun.  (I already have reservations for a big birthday event that day so I can’t make it – otherwise I would be planning to attend.)
Witches Unite.com (The Black Hat Society) – worldwide lauch Oct. 31, 2010
Pagan Veterans of the USA (no website listed on their handouts)
Karen Bianco – Angel Essence Massage
Nancy Tursi - medium, psychic
Raven Lilies – spiritually inspired creations, woodburning designs.  Just starting out no website yet, email:  raven.lilies@gmail.com
Sun & Moon Metaphsyical Shoppe.
A World Apart – jewelry, gifts, new age items.
Wee Witches – handmade items (soaps, herbal teas, magical tools, wooden witches and more)
Water Gap Hiking Sticks – walking sticks, solar and green products
Wizards Towers – beads and gifts, special orders welcome
Miracles by Angel (no website) – portraits, muruals, custom designs (from photos), 856-669-8773
Thistlefish Studio (no website) – jewelry, 3D art, paintings, cards, 856-785-2727

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:pagan event, pagan vendors, review, wicca, wiccan vendors

Divine Dangles – Goddess eye adornments by Loona

There were many wonderful vendors at Womon Gathering. However, there wasn’t time or energy to interview each and every one. So we chose to highlight one vendor who’s wares and spirit “called” to us from the very first day and we felt ourselves drawn back again and again to browse her wares.

Loona - creator of Divine Dangles (Goddess Eye adornments)
(703) 525-9650 loona3@onebox.com
(also creates wooden wands, staffs, talking sticks, ceramic mirrors, altars & prayer boxes and carved/painted gourdware; and welcomes phone calls for custom orders)

Below are 2 photos with a few of her Divine Dangles – I just wish my camera could take better photos so everyone could see just how beautiful these are. Each one is different. The main bead being the Goddess Eye and each strand is unique with a variety of other beads added to bring the piece alive. She will do custom pieces, just call to discuss what you are looking for and place an order:

How the Goddess Eye Divine Dangles came about – Loona travelled to Turkey and discovered the powerful protection of the “Goddess eye” (also called “evil eye” in some cultures) through a personal experience she had. While holding an “eye”, she fell, the “eye” shattered but she was unhurt. From that experience she received an inspiration to learn more about the “eye” and create the lovely “divine dangles” for others. The “Goddess eye” protects and absorbs negativity so it doesn’t affect you. It can be hung from a car mirror, around the house, near a bed, over a crib, in a cubicle at work, or any where you feel the need to have the protection of the “Goddess eye.”

She has also recently added to mirrors and prayer boxes (see photo below).

Loona is a delightful woman who’s spirit and heart shine brightly. We enjoyed meeting her and her friend who was also there helping to run the booth. I even found myself waking up one morning, sketching and taking notes with tons of inspiration and ideas – however, it was not for me or Mama Kelly, but it was for Loona. I was hestitant at first to pass the message along, but after all it wasn’t my message so I took the notes and sketches to Loona and told her to feel free to think I was crazy. She didn’t think I was crazy at all, but did need a little help reading my handwriting. I am not sure who sent the message, but she was genuinely pleased and thankful for the inspirational notes.

There is a lot of love and spirit in her work, and we feel we can definitely recommend her wares.

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose and Mama Kelly

Written by Lady RoseTags:goddess, pagan vendors, womongathering

Womon Gathering 2008:  The Marketplace is a lively area right outside the dining hall, surrounded by trees with areas to sit scattered around. We browsed the vendors a little each day and drooled over lovely wares, but managed to stay within our planned budgets. There was a booth for massage and another for hair cuts. We saw beautiful Yoni art work, handmade dolls, pottery, jewelry and much more.

Mama Kelly: I would really like to see us able to afford massages next year. Bare butt naked with the breeze blowing softly over your body with the leaves rustling overhead. Sigh!!!

My first purchase was a lovely skirt and top made of gauze-like material with a spiral pattern, purple of course. Usually I like to browse for a day or two before making purchases, but since it was the only one like it I bought it the very first day. I had Angelgirl on the phone Saturday as I walked around describing some of the items so she could pick out something for me to bring home for her. She chose a lovely handmade cloth hat, the fabric has a celestial pattern from Mosa Mimi Baczewska (website under construction). I also got myself a purple tie-dyed tshirt with a beautiful silk-screeend tree-of-life image on the front from Willow Moon Designs. And I picked up a few littles thing – magnets for me, Angelgirl and Mama Kelly and her daughters, a snake pin (which I gave to Mom when I got home), a bag of sage, and a cd of chants (by Marie Summerwood, see photo and link below).

Mama Kelly: I came home with 2 rainbow-clay goddess charms to string on cord for my girls, a brimmed cap (in a multi-color pattern) for Miss Artistic (from the same shop that AngelGirl’s hat came from), and a Tie-Dye Tshirt for Princess Nibbles. For myself I purchased a chant CD and a Labradorite egg. Also with a bag of sage, thanks to Lady Rose’s generosity.

Here are some photos fo the Marketplace at Womongathering 2008:

Marie Summerwood (her CDs and herbal wares) – wise womon handmade herbal tinctures, salves, oils, lip balm and her cds. Also colorful fabric serpent familiars, small snakelet pins and barrettes.

Links to some of the other vendors Mama Kelly was able to find for some of the vendors

Warped & Twisted – wraps, shawls, scrafs, hand-spun wool.
K Robins Sculpture – symbolic silver jewelry.
Mama Donna’s Spirit Shop – magents, charms, goddess images, and more. (who was unavailable to attend this year due to surgery.)
Moonien Arts Studio – sacred objects and art, spiritual tools and instruments, salt Goddesses.
Spiral Moon Boutique – exotic gifts and apparel to entice body, mind and spirit.
Sweetwater Pottery – stoneware and porcelain dinnerware, lamps, vases, drums, ritual plates and chalices.

Mama Kelly: So those of you planning on attending next year, start saving some pennies now. As you can see the wares can be very tempting. Also know that there are “free boxes and tables” at Womongathering. You are free to take form you want from these areas and invited to leave those things which no longer serve a place in your life and you are ready to let go of. Books, pagan periodicals, crystals, sealed snackfoods, what have you.

Written by Lady RoseTags:pagan vendors, womongathering