No Need to Wait for Halloween
I was out for a walk when a friend called to meet him in wacky Berkeley for a cup of coffee. I agreed as it had been a few months since I visited that side of the bay. A couple of advice when taking public transportation in the Bay Area: avoid eye contact, no one is looking to make friends; also, fellow passengers aren't looking to debate the virtues of Bush's social security reform plan or why John Bolton won't make a good United Nations ambassador.
During coffee at one of the bohemian cafes, we spotted a poster: Pagan Festival. We found our activity for the rest of the afternoon. We had fun walking around, and decided to go to the The Flame Within Trance Dance after party. These pagans really know how to party! I'm paying for the near all-night fun, and should probably go back to bed for the rest of the day.
During coffee at one of the bohemian cafes, we spotted a poster: Pagan Festival. We found our activity for the rest of the afternoon. We had fun walking around, and decided to go to the The Flame Within Trance Dance after party. These pagans really know how to party! I'm paying for the near all-night fun, and should probably go back to bed for the rest of the day.
With this event, we bring together brothers and sisters of ALL indigenous, Earth-based, and nature centered polytheistic beliefs in pride and celebration, as well as those who support arts, music, ceremony, theater and dance within the Interfaith Pagan Community. In doing so, we unite in our message to the world that we must live together in love and tolerance, as opposed to fear and misunderstanding, as voices in the great choir of Spirit.Some facts I learned at the festival:
- The Wiccan, Pagan and Witchcraft year runs from Oct 31st through Oct 30th.
- The eight pagan holidays are marked by the seasons including Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice.
- Modern holidays is based on pagan holidays (see about.com): Easter, Christmas, Groundhog Day and Halloween.
- Wicca is a belief system and way of life based upon the reconstruction of pre-Christian traditions originating in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
- Wicca and Witchcraft is not a cult.
- Satan, or the Devil, has absolutely no place in Wicca or Witchcraft. The worship of Satan is the practice of profaning Christian symbolism and is thus a Christian heresy, rather than a Pagan religion. The Goddess and God of the Witches are in no way connected to Satanic practices.
another point of view ...
Interesting. I had known about Halloween as a pagan holiday, but not groundhog day! Also full of useless information when I visit this blog! - Cindy
This public transportation advice, was it on the BART? Because yeah, I'd have to agree with your advice...ha ha ha...
anonymous: apparently, that's a myth that you need a full moon to have fun. a full moon is only need to cast some of your more potent spells. i don't need any love potions. i'm all set!
cindy: i know, lots of useless info here, but hope you chuckled anyway. come visit again!
jadedmaniac: yes, that was BART. i can't figure out why people are so unfriendly on BART. i mean, when i took the tube in london, people were actually friendly there -- they talk about politics (mostly) and the royal family.
I wish I were more aware of community events there. They sound like fun. But I'm not in that area. I guess I'll just have to experience them vicariously through you!!
heck, i'm clueless in what to do until i stumble onto an event. usual this happens while i'm having my morning coffee! actually, coffee is good at all hours, don't let the caffeine stop you from enjoying it!
what activities do you like? i'll find some listserv so you can sign up for updates!
hey check this out:
http://smallsmiles.blogspot.com/2005/05/what-i-see-in-you.html
Also, you s/d that there were 8 holidays. These are called Sabbats. Wicca is different than paganism or witchcraft as you mentioned and the culture is incredible diverse. There is a great sense of community which is what I enjoy about it, among other things. Thank you for posting this and bringing respect and understanding rather than the usual opposite.
sojourning crow: thank you for the clarification .. i was so buzzed from the festivities that i couldn't recall everything i had heard/read that day!
i'm checking the site now.
speak up!
Interesting. I had known about Halloween as a pagan holiday, but not groundhog day! Also full of useless information when I visit this blog! - Cindy
Julie
This public transportation advice, was it on the BART? Because yeah, I'd have to agree with your advice...ha ha ha...
Nam LaMore
anonymous: apparently, that's a myth that you need a full moon to have fun. a full moon is only need to cast some of your more potent spells. i don't need any love potions. i'm all set!
cindy: i know, lots of useless info here, but hope you chuckled anyway. come visit again!
Nam LaMore
jadedmaniac: yes, that was BART. i can't figure out why people are so unfriendly on BART. i mean, when i took the tube in london, people were actually friendly there -- they talk about politics (mostly) and the royal family.
Julie
I wish I were more aware of community events there. They sound like fun. But I'm not in that area. I guess I'll just have to experience them vicariously through you!!
Nam LaMore
heck, i'm clueless in what to do until i stumble onto an event. usual this happens while i'm having my morning coffee! actually, coffee is good at all hours, don't let the caffeine stop you from enjoying it!
what activities do you like? i'll find some listserv so you can sign up for updates!
Footprint
hey check this out:
http://smallsmiles.blogspot.com/2005/05/what-i-see-in-you.html
Also, you s/d that there were 8 holidays. These are called Sabbats. Wicca is different than paganism or witchcraft as you mentioned and the culture is incredible diverse. There is a great sense of community which is what I enjoy about it, among other things. Thank you for posting this and bringing respect and understanding rather than the usual opposite.
Nam LaMore
sojourning crow: thank you for the clarification .. i was so buzzed from the festivities that i couldn't recall everything i had heard/read that day!
i'm checking the site now.
speak up!
previous 10 posts:
- Pamela Anderson Talks, Who Listens?
- Save the Whales
- The Naked Chef Beat Out Martha Stewart
- Dodging Bullets and Learning to Fly
- Words on Paper (a poem)
- That Wasn't Chicken
- A Different Kind of Film & Art Fest
- You're Kidding, You Know Who?!?
- How Weird Party
- Night of Discovery