Womongathering Preview

Womon Gathering is ONLY 26 days away!  I have started making a list of what to pack, what I need to pick up from the store and will start getting things together this weekend.  I am going to visit Mama Kelly at the end of the month for a final review of our packing and finalize our plans. Teacherman (hubby) thinks I should rent a car since mine is over 10 years old now. I think I probably will, that way I don’t have to take mine and risk breaking down on such a long trip and I don’t have to take his leaving him to use my much smaller car (being over 6 foot it’s a tight fit for him).

I find myself daydreaming about the event throughout the day and smiling a lot.  I went once before over a decade ago so I have some memories of it. Also I know a woman at work who goes every year, so she has told me some details about what to expect and sends me emails when there is news on the event’s message board.

The event takes place at a private camp grounds way up in the mountains far away from civilization.  From the moment you enter through the “gateway” you are on sacred ground.   It is like being in a safe, blessed sacred circle for the entire four days. Every effort is made to set aside the mundane every day world of stress and rushing about, (i.e. cell phones are kept off).  Many of the women attending have gone almost every year, and of course there are others coming for the first time also.  

The “gateway” is a tent structure that you pass through after you have unloaded your belongings, parked your car, and settled in.  The “gateway” is the symbolic place between the worlds, a sacred space to release what you wish to leave behind, to ground and center yourself before entering the community of the festival. Each year the “gateway” is different and embellished with the element theme for the year.  For example, one Air year a woman stood in front with two huge bird wings (real) and fanned each woman as they entered.

This year the theme is Water. We have been asked to bring a vial of “local” water from home to carry through the “gateway” and to be used in some of the rituals also.

There is a large sacred bonfire lit at a ceremony the first night and it is kept lit throughout the entire event.  It is a quiet space for meditation.   I have fond memories of sitting by the bonfire, enjoying the peacefulness and just breathing in the fresh air at various times throughout the four days. I am looking forward to doing so again.

Many of the women decorate their area of the cabin with magical and spiritual items and some even set up small altars. I am looking forward to planning with Mama Kelly an altar four our area of the cabin. I’m not sure what I’m bringing yet, but probably a large shell (since the theme is water), and perhaps some crystals. No candles are allowed in the cabins, of course. I’ll also be bringing my drum and tarot cards for two of the classes.

I can already feel my heart and spirit beginning to soar as I daydream of the four days on sacred ground, immersed in learning, drumming, chanting, circling, and best of all sharing it with my best friend and heart-sister, Mama Kelly.

Wishing every one a joyous weekend and bright blessings, Lady Rose
(founder of the Diet Pulpit and co-author of Stir the Cauldron).