It’s 10:20 p.m. We’ve spent all day shopping, cleaning, organizing, and packing. This night, the night before we leave for our yearly pilgrimage to Pagan Spirit Gathering, is my traditional night to ask myself, “Why are we doing this?” Why are we going to tent camp, for eight days, and (as is forecast) in the rain?? Why all the effort, the expenditures, the hassle? Why on Earth would anyone spend their precious vacation time working (working!) at a gathering?
It’s because, if I asked any of my children if they’d rather not go, or if they would rather do anything else with our time and money, they would scream in protest. It’s because my oldest children, both out of the house, are going of their own free will, and wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s because, for a few days, we don’t have to be the “eccentric” family. When we arrive there, I can point to hundreds of people and say to my little ones, “They’re all pagan, like us.”
It’s because hundreds of pagans gather every year at the Summer Solstice and work to grow a pagan culture together; one that will hopefully take root in our children, so that they will be willing to do the work when we no longer can.
I might ask myself “Why?” while pounding tent stakes into the mud tomorrow, but the answer will always be the same, and will always be worth it.
Witch Mama 
We will bring back a blog give away gift!
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Well said my sister I for one can't wait !! ❤ to you all
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Have a blast!
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Have fun! We'll miss you. I loved your sentence about not being the eccentric ones!! It's hard being different sometimes.
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Have tons of fun too, besides working. Nothing wrong with dancing in the rain!
just bring me the news it will be at the same site next year, so I can plan to go!
oh and the rats are getting spoiled.
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I had a great dream of being in a ceremony with your family 🙂 a few nights ago, something with brooms and songs to greenman.
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On this same night, I had a celebration dream of Melanie. Ours was a parade and party! Melanie – what are you conjuring up in your sleep?!?!?!?
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I live about an hour from your part of Iowa and I was at PSG too.. I wonder if we have passed each other before face to face.
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Dragonfly and Christine, Perhaps we will be in a ritual together very soon! Will you both be at Sacred Harvest Festival?
Dragonfly – I dreamed of you last night!
Jasmine – how cool is that? Will you be at Iowa Lammas Fest?
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not sure.. do you have a link for that fest?
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http://www.lammasfest.us/
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Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Enjoy. Dance in the rain!
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