FLORIDA – While putting the final touches on its upcoming festival, Temple of Earth Gatherings (TEG) has found itself, once again, at the center of community controversy. TEG’s Florida Pagan Gathering (FPG) is a popular festival and has been one of the most well-attended Pagan events in that state since its inception in 1995. But, in 2014, the TEG board hit a snag, when it invited Yvonne and Gavin Frost, two teachers considered controversial, to present at that year’s spring event.
Since that point, FPG has be staged biannually without incident until recent months. In January, the Frosts announced that they would be returning to the festival circuit and attending FPG 2016, but the couple made no mention of offering any workshops. Their blog post went largely unnoticed. Then, two weeks ago, an anonymous person emailed an unpublished FPG 2016 festival booklet to a large group of people. The booklet listed the Frosts as workshop presenters, which immediately launched a public conversation, raising old concerns. Rumors and stories began quickly circulating.
When TEG became aware that the booklet was out, it announced that this circulating booklet had not been approved, nor was it official. Within one week, TEG published a new one that did not list the Frosts as presenters. The TEG Board would not confirm or deny any of the rumors and declined any further comment.
Sage. a former FPG staff member, told The Wild Hunt that he and several others resigned over this very issue. Until recently, Sage was the FPG workshop coordinator and he said, “I resigned largely because I was instructed that it was my job to keep secret certain workshops that the Board of Directors was aware would upset some portion of the community. This deceit came in direct conflict with my moral and ethical codes of conduct.” There are also reportedly some copyright issues involving the printing and publication of the two versions of the festival booklets, which have nothing directly to do with the workshop issue itself. Sage did add that he personally will not be attending the event.
At this point, FPG is still moving forward. Several of the scheduled presenters have confirmed that they will be attending after speaking privately with the board about raised concerns, and no protests against TEG are currently in the works. As for the Frosts, they typically communicate via “snail mail” and could not respond for comment in time for publication. But we will update this story as needed.
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TUCSON, Ariz. – Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) announced the election of its new Archdruid Rev. Jean Pagano. Effective May 1, Rev. Pagano will “take the reins” from Rev. Kirk Thomas, who has been serving as ADF’s spiritual and administrative leader since 2010. Pagano said, “I am touched and honoured that people have chosen me to be their Arch Druid – it is not a challenge that I take lightly and I promise to be Archdruid to all members.”
This past Saturday, Rev. Thomas led his final ritual as Archdruid at Trillium. He said, “I think that it’s been a good six years, and it has always been my intent to serve ADF well, but it’s time for me to move on. I shall, of course, remain highly involved in ADF, and perhaps even hold some minor leadership roles in the future, but I shall also be taking more time for myself. I want to thank everyone in ADF who has supported me in my journey as ADF Archdruid, and I know that ADF shall continue to grow and thrive in the future.”
Rev. Pagano will served as Archdruid for the next three years. He was thankful to be chosen and said, “He added, I want to thank the Earth Mother, the Kindreds, and all of the people who have made ADF what it is today. May the Gods always provide.”
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![Priestess Miriam with Aiyda [Courtesy Photo]](https://wildhunt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1413981512820_Image_galleryImage_ca_1990s_New_Orleans_Loui-500x453.jpg)
Priestess Miriam with Aiyda [Courtesy Photo]
She began searching for a new location, which was reportedly “not an easy task in one of America’s most fastly gentrifying and expensive cities.” However, she was finally able to locate a space at 1428 North Rampart near its intersection with Esplanade. Witchdoctor Utu reports, “The New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple will begin a brand new era.” He also said that the temple is “not out of the woods yet.” Most of the renovations and moving tasks are complete but the setup and “sense of normalcy” has yet to return.
On behalf of Priestess Miriam, Utu added, “We cannot thank everyone enough who have contributed to the still existing GoFundMe campaign, this would simply not have been possible with out the beautiful people who continue to support, promote and contribute to the various fund raising efforts, much of it from around the entire North American Continent. Lots of work ahead but we continue to count our blessings and gratitude abounds. Soon enough we will be able to share some photos of the new building as it begins to settle into its new home.”
In Other News
- Earth Day is coming up Friday, Apr. 22 and people around the world are planning their events. In dedication to that day, several Pagans in London are reviving a yearly tradition formerly run by Wiccan High Priestess Jean Willams (1928-2015). On Apr. 23, organizers and attendees will gather at 1 pm at the Highgate Tube Station, Priory Gardens exit. They will then walk from the “tube to the wood.” The group will collect “rubbish in Queens Wood till about 3:30 pm.” After that, the group will picnic and a have an “attunement in the clearing.” Organizers look forward to seeing everyone come out for this London Earth Day tradition.
- Similarly, Tuesday Apr. 19, Starhawk will join Rev. Selena Fox on her weekly podcast to discuss current environmental issues, climate change and ways to incorporate eco-activism in daily life. Additionally, Starhawk will talk about her “Earth Activist trainings, her permaculture work, and her visionary novel, The Fifth Sacred Thing and its long-awaited sequel, City of Refuge.” The podcast, titled “EcoPagan EcoMagic,” will air Tuesday night at 7 pm CT.
- The Troth is preparing to host its annual event called Trothmoot. This year’s four day camping festival will be held in Port Townsend, Washington at Ft. Flagler State Park. The organization writes, “Heathens from all over the world are invited to gather in the Pacific Northwest for a celebration of Heathen diversity and spirituality. Hosted by Hrafnar and Heathen Freehold Troth KAP Kindreds, and our Washinton and Pacific Northwest Troth members, come for fellowship, ritual, workshop, skaldship, and of course Northwest hospitality.” Trothmoot begins June 9 and runs through June 12. Registration is open on the Troth’s site.
- On May 1, Heathens United Against Racism will be hosting Light the Beacons, a worldwide action calling “on all Heathens around the world who stand for inclusive, tolerant, and diverse practice to light a beacon in solidarity with all other Heathens who stand for these values in our spirituality.” HUAR asks participating individuals to light a candle, or some other form of light, at any point during that day. They also ask for photos of that light to be posted on the event Facebook event site. Organizers write, “Together we will ignite a fire in our hearts and homes that will push back the shadows of fear & ignorance, shine light on our honor, and rally the hopes of Heathens everywhere.
- Athena: Sharing Current Research is still looking for presenters for its June conference in London. The site explains, “This conference will share current research on a deity that has been a topic of interest since the dawn of classical scholarship and through its various ‘turns.’ The event will appraise various ways to approach the goddess by drawing together current researchers from the UK, France, Italy, and, we hope, elsewhere.” Submissions are due by Apr. 30. The conference will take place on June 3 at the “Adam Room, Grove House, University of Roehampton, London.”
That’s it for now. Have a great day!
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Regardless of what one may think of the Frosts, it the workshop list or other festival documentation has to be kept “secret,” it certainly indicates problems.
Personally I’d say let the Frosts present and let people decide for themselves whether to come or not. I’m not fond of censorship and I believe that people can make good choices over time. Especially when they must accept the consequences of their choices.
But this secret stuff, that shows that someone didn’t trust people to act in the “approved” manner.
Without commenting on FPG or the Frosts, I can see certain instances in which publicizing a workshop through normal channels might not be prudent. In some parts of the country, a workshop on expanding the Wiccanate god/goddess duotheism to include queer deity might better be publicized through word of mouth. Or a workshop on plant-derived drug shamanism, again in some parts of the country. Ditto one on animal sacrifice, with the same proviso.
You make some very good points. Yes, I think some things should be “Inner Court” and some things should be “Outer Court.”
At the same time, “hiding” the controversial won’t help the public perception. There are times now when I STILL have to convince folks that I won’t force their wives and children into “unspeakable” rites or drag their pets into the bushes to sake my “insatiable” lusts.
I wish there were an easy answer here but I honestly don’t see it. The only thing I see that might work is to be open about what we do.
To be sure, being completely open means it won’t blow up in your face.
There is that. *grin*
Great to hear that Voodoo Spiritual Temple is moving into its new home! I am glad the various communities and individuals who contributed have been able to help that process along in some way.
Once again, FPG/TEG shows its true colors and the exact level of contempt and disregard for the community that supports it. I had been hopeful that they listened and considered the effect that the Frosts returning might have, but the idea of a secret workshop list being withheld is very troubling.
They clearly place no value in the attendees beyond a monetary one, and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks or how badly this will be received, both within the Florida pagan community and with the broader, non pagan one.
I strongly applaud Sage and others who resigned over principle, and would encourage other Pagans of principle to vote with their feet and their dollars.
I hope the wider movement continues to foster an environment which is very intolerant of secrecy and duplicity, especially where it involves issues of sexual harassment or abuse. Leaders and organizers who repeatedly and willfully disregard legitimate concerns and show contempt for transparency SHOULD find themselves under siege and they should get used to having their confidence broken and ending up in the uncomfortable spotlight of scandal. We often fret over concerns that our elders give up on leadership and public roles due to burnout and conflict. Where this issue is concerned, if they can’t learn from their own mistakes or those of others, their departure should be encouraged. If the community culture surrounding a festival cannot manage to produce responsive and responsible leadership in this area, that festival deserves to fail.
Further, the decision not to host the Frosts as presenters (a correct decision made only in deep duress), is not censorship. It is free speech functioning exactly as it was meant to function. Nobody owes anybody else a platform for their ideas on their space, their name or their dime. The Frosts have the same ability to propagate their ideas as anyone else, and that power is vast in the digital age. How they and their ideas are received is on them.
Its terrible that the people in the community are trying to avoid the facebook bullys (like Edward Rickey and others) by not publicizing their guest’s information.
Making inflamatory remarks for the sole purpose of ripping a community apart says a lot about who someone is at their core.
I have a question though. How was the gathering decieving their guests if the intended workshops were “originally being posted in the handbook”?