Public Challenge

I've just returned from the Piedmont Earthskills Gathering, which teaches primitive and traditional skills. It's also a recreation of an ancestral village, and every day begins with a council circle. Every pagan ought to know about this type of event. This is exactly the type of knowledge and experience that can help you deepen your connection to the Earth, enrich your spiritual practice and make your daily life more sustainable.

I've heard so many pagans say that they have no idea how to identify a plant, make a fire, go camping or navigate in the wilderness. To me, this is a crying shame. We're an Earth-centered faith. How can we be practicing the full richness of our faith if we don't know the Earth? I've also heard a lot of people talk about rituals that didn't feel powerful, or difficulty feeling connected, feeling the elements, etc. That can all be remedied by going outside and learning about the Earth and all Her inhabitants. That type of experiental learning is how we build relationship with Deity, elements, animal, plant and mineral teachers! So many Pagan gatherings focus on the esoteric and the theoretical. How many include wild plant first aid? Or medicinal mead brewing? Keep in mind, I am not disparaging or judging anyone. I'm merely bringing up the elephant in the room: many Pagans don't get outdoors very much.

This year, I:

• Helped to build a primitive kitchen with griddle, stove and central coal-producing fire.
• Built a river cane arrow.
• Began to make a medicine shield.
• Taught traditional archery. We had a blast shooting my Mongolian Horse Bow and my Mohawk longbow. 
• Learned about and tasted medicinal meads, kombucha and natural sodas.
• Participated in a Moon Lodge - a gathering of women in which we talked about many things, including the need for biological women to gather separately at times, how to support the trans community and much more. It was presided over by an elder medicine woman - she was amazing!
• Spent lots of time around the central fire, working on projects, chatting with people, sharing food, stories and songs.
• Camped with some new friends of the Druidic persuasion.
• Enjoyed some hammock time.

Next year, I plan to offer (pending approval) Yoga, meditation and some sort of spiritual offering. Perhaps a spiritually-themed craft like gourd rattles or smudging fans. Perhaps a practice like energetic healing.

I challenge every pagan in central and eastern North Carolina (or surrounding areas!) to attend next year. Join me!