The Threads That Bind Us

A few weeks ago, I had an idea.

I have been producing a podcast called The Medium, the Witch & the Shaman, which is a panel discussion format in which we gather and talk about spiritual and metaphysical topics. We invite people from out of town to participate via Skype. And I thought: what would happen if we got a panel together of Pagan leaders, authors and elders to discuss things of particular interest to Pagans? With the technology and low expense of Skype, we could reasonably gather anyone from anywhere! And I thought, I have quite a few such people as contacts on my Facebook. Why don't I send them an email about it?

It took me a couple of weeks to work up the nerve, but I thought to myself, Well, all they can say is no, right? And what happens if they say yes? So I sent the email. And the response was overwhelming! I was truly honoured and amazed by the interesting people - people whom I deeply respect and admire - who were willing to be a part of this project!

I didn't want to limit myself to just contacting famous Pagans; though there were quite a few I found on Facebook who are famous. My criteria was that I felt that everyone invited to be a part of the panel has contributed to the Pagan movement or culture in a significant way. Either they have contributed to our literature, our music and culture, our scholarship, connecting us, researching us, teaching our Paths to others, organizing and leading, speaking out for our rights, or pioneering new fields. I also wanted people who have been practicing their chosen Paths for a long time and who have made it a part of their way of life. I have been very fortunate! These amazing people span a variety of Pagan Paths and traditions, and they come from all over the world and all walks of life. They are willing to fight prejudice, instruct the stubborn, and herd cats. They might be known worldwide, or as icons in their own communities, but they are all "Pathfinders;" they have blazed trails for the rest of us, and helped us all to find our own Paths.

I felt it was important to bring these people together because I believe that Pagan networking and communication is essential to the future of Paganism. We have a lot of differences; the truth is, we are really a bunch of disparate faiths with some similar traits and concerns, and bringing us together is no different than bringing together any other multifaith gathering. But it is even more important that we come together, because we are minority faiths in a culture that does not understand us, and the only way that we are going to thrive is to unite as much as we are able. We are challenged by this because we are, by definition, individualists, and our spiritualities are very personal and diverse; and rather than viewing this as a threat, we choose to celebrate our diversity. It doesn't give us a lot of common ground. But we need to find what we can.

We will be gathering next weekend to work out the bugs and maybe introduce ourselves and make a pilot podcast, and I am very excited! Keep up with this blog for more information!

I also invite you to sign up for our website (which, for those who are following us on Facebook, is at http://paganpathfinders.webs.com) to check out the list of our panelistis, or participate in the Forums and join the conversation! And I can't wait to see what will happen!

Blessed be,

Wanted: Pagan-friendly or New Age style musician(s) or band(s) to provide music for the videos I intend to produce on the Witch's Eight Paths of Power. The project would involve eight videos, each about two hours long or so, in the loose style of an A&E special. Think of "Ancient Mysteries" or the like; varying shots between me talking to the camera, and a voiceover sequence with images related to the subject. Music should be very mood-oriented and have either no lyrics, or very subdued lyrics that blend into the background (like Enigma or Delirium, maybe.) See the link provided for subject matter reference. Will pay the successful candidates fair licensing fees in cash and/or barter, but do understand that this is a personal project that I am self-producing and I am not a record label with thousands of dollars to back me, so this is best suited to artists trying to increase their exposure with the Pagan and New Age community. Please apply by email (use Contact Us link at our website or my FB email [Diane Morrison]) with link to mp3s or vids of your work. Pass the word to your musician friends! Thanks.

Blessed be,

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that the May Metaphysical Services & Practitioners directory for The Threads That Bind Us is now available to download in pdf format from http://www.thethreadsthatbindus.net and we've updated our Horoscopes by Gayle page for Beltane to Litha!

Next weekend I personally will be doing a Pagan event in Vancouver for Beltane.  It's not the kind of thing you vendor at, so the store will not be there, but if anyone wants me to bring something specific down, I will do that.

The weekend after is our next Mini-Psychic Fair on the 22nd starting at noon, where we will be showcasing some of our metaphysical and healing practitioners; $2 admission and your donations go to support Okanagan Pagan Pride, and then for $5 you can get approximately 15 minutes of our services.  We'll have psychic readings, Tarot readings, Reiki, Thai massage, Healing Matrix, astrology readings, and more!

The weekend after is our second SCA event of the year, Midsummer in Appledore, in Summerland.  We do intend to vend there (though being a small event, we'll likely have a smaller table).  Our focus there will be medieval items, so if there is something specifically Pagan or metaphysical that you want us to bring, please contact us and let us know.

That sums up our weekends, but don't forget to check the calendar for our ongoing events on Wednesday nights; next week Meditation, the week after is our the Medium, the Witch and the Shaman Discussion Panel, and the week after is my next Practical Magick class, "Finding Fairies."  All these events start at 6 pm; the first two are by donation, and Practical Magick is $5 - $20 sliding scale per person.

Blessed be,

Sable

At this special time and place, deep in the woods of British Columbia, celebrants call the gods to join them in their festivities here on earth . . . and the gods answer!

The CWABC invites you to join us their first Pagan festival, Starfall PaganFest! This event will happen on the Canada Day weekend in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in Cherryville, the perfect place to bring together Northern and Southern BC, the Interior and the Coast, the Kootenays and even Alberta. The site is 45 minutes from Vernon along Highway 6, in the woods along a winding road; there is no cell phone service and not even any internet access; imagine that! The scenic terrain lends itself to lovely hikes, beautiful camping, and clear mountain views.

The site can accommodate about 30-40 people in indoor spaces, and the rest will be tenting space; priority on indoor spaces given to those with disabilities and families with small children. Overall capacity is 60.

Priority registration will be offered to CWABC and CWAA members, starting immediately at $125. Early bird registration opens May 1 at $150 per person; last minute registration starts June 1 at more or less $200 and will be on a first postmarked, first served basis. Children 6 and under free; children 7 - 15 and elders over 65 will be offered a discounted rate.

In the model of the Gathering, each person will be expected to volunteer for one 1-2 hour duty over the course of the weekend, setup and/or takedown.  Details on the registration sheet.

Participants are invited to contribute workshop ideas with registration.

Site is discreetly wet; it is also used as a treatment centre.

Please make cheques out to the "Congregationalist Wiccan Association of BC."

Event Location: 63 Begbie Rd. in Cherryville

Event TIME Details: site opens 2 pm Fri., closes 2 pm Sun.

Phone: (250) 540-0341 (Business Phone for The Threads That Bind Us)

Mailing Address: Starfall Pagan Festival, 5583 Silver Star Rd. Vernon, BC V1B 3P7

Website: http://starfallpaganfest.webs.com

Just a heads-up on some upcoming shop events and related:

Tomorrow (March 17, St. Paddy's Day,) I'll be offering a Practical Magick class in the basics of Numerology.  Then on Saturday we're hosting the first of a series of 8 workshops in the Eight Paths of Power or the Eightfold Way of Wiccan magick.   The first is on "Intent," concentration, visualization, meditation and focus.  Cost of the workshop is $25 for non CWABC members, and members get it for free!  The CWABC Ostara Ritual will follow.  The second issue of our newsletter, "The Tapestry" will also be available on that date!

Next Wednesday the 24th we're having our second "The Witch, the Medium and the Shaman" discussion panel.  The topic this time will be "Walking Between Worlds: Incorporating Metaphysical Ability and Spirituality in Everyday Life."  These discussion groups then proceed from there as directed by the participants.  All are welcome; by donation.

Then on Saturday the 27th we're having our next Mini-Metaphysical Fair!  Noon to 5 pm, come and check out psychics and practitioners for a discounted rate!  This time we also welcome Astrologer Gayle Hunter to the team!  $2 door fee (donated to the Horse Rescue Society) and $5 for about 15 minute sample services!

On the 31st of April we'll be doing our last Practical Magick class in May, this one in "Directing Energy."

In April we have more Practical Magick, another Meditation Night, another Medium, Witch and Shaman Discussion Panel, and a couple of unique events; April 14 at 7 pm we welcome author and psychic Natasha J. Rosewood for a Soul Talk, some short readings for people and some book signings; $20 per person, all welcome!  And also, on the 17th of April we'll be organizing our Lower Mainland Beltane Fair to showcase the works of Pagan crafters in the community!  Vendors, your table will cost somewhere between $20 and $25 if you are interested.

Blessed be!