GoddessFestival2008

Blessings Sisters in Goddess,

This is a special edition of my newsletter. Over thirty years ago I started a

Women’s Spirituality Movement, and happily it took hold. I felt like celebrating

this Movement and the Goddess. So, I agreed to do one last goddess festival.

I wanted to take a moment of your time to invite you to participate in the

upcoming Gathering of the Goddess festival event. I’ve produced a good number

of Goddess Festivals over the years, and I’m ready to say that this is the last one I

will produce myself. This Gathering is going to be a very special one.

In the past, I’ve hired special entertainment and teachers for the festivals. This

time no one was hired. The women who are teaching and entertaining us have all

volunteered their time in support of the Women’s Spirituality Movement. It’s just

like it was when we started this Movement. We have come full circle.

And speaking of taking things back to their origins, I am taking us all the way back

to the beginning of the Movement because sadly some outside influences have

caused women to no longer understand real magic. Real rituals. I want you to

understand and experience a real ritual, and that is something that happens in

person.

Last minute friends should be invited now! Share this newsletter with them.

Our Camp’s Coastal Redwoods

Gathering the Goddess is held at our beloved camp in the coastal redwoods of

Northern California. It is something between staying at a hotel and camping. We

have beds, but you need to bring your own bedding and towels.

We dance! We sing! We eat!

All meals are prepared for us. There is no work duty. No food to cook. No dishes

to do. The Camp’s staff does it all for us.

You can attend the workshops, you can shop with the vendors, you can walk

amongst the redwoods or you can rest. What you do when is up to you.

What I want from you:

Every woman who attends this Gathering should know the Charge of the Star Goddess. It’s in the Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries, and it’s powerful when spoken together. Each woman should bring her red girdle if she has one. Girdles/cords are discussed in the Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries. I will be offering an initiation ritual into the Dianic path. You will be given a single red cord if you take initiation with me. That cord can be woven into a new girdle or into an existing girdle after the ritual. So, if you don’t have a girdle, it’s okay to wait until after initiation.

If you’re a local, then harvest some Laurel branches with leaves and bring them to

the Gathering. Also, bring flowers!!! You can never have too many flowers.

Riding the Bus from the Airport? August 15th is the cut-off date for the bus. After that, you’re on your own for transportation. Sign-up for the bus ride here for $25: http://zbudapest.com/goddess-festival.html

Vendors

You are welcomed to vend at this Gathering. We ask that you notify us that you

are planning on vending and let us know what you’ll be selling. We do ask that

you donate 10% back to the Women’s Spirituality Forum. We’d love it if you’d

donate an item for a silent auction too.

Last minute friends should be invited now! Share this newsletter with them.

My Tryst

In keeping with the theme of rediscovering the Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries,

you are invited to attend my Tryst. Performed beneath a redwood canopy in this

amphitheater setting, we will celebrate together. By the way, this is a special

ritual as it’s my first time trysting. I’ve performed many for others, but it’s my first

time.

No gifts are necessary. Donations to the Women’s Spirituality Forum are

welcomed (www. zbudapest.com).

Herstorical Documentary

We’re doing a Herstorical Documentary of this Gathering too. We are filming as

much of the weekend as we can. Next we will create a DVD of the festival. It will

be a great DVD to remember your weekend, and others will appreciate seeing

what really goes on at a Goddess festival.

Projects like this are what have helped the Women’s Spirituality Movement to

outreach to women all over the world. And, you’ll be a part of it!

Rituals

Our big rituals take place in a wonderful sunken temple in the round. We’re completely surrounded by the embrace of the redwoods. At night we light a huge bonfire in the center and then, we gather round. We sing. We dance. We worship the Goddess. We recognize the goddess in each other. We celebrate life!

What to Bring

Your clothing should be for all seasons. Dress in layers. Bring a warm coat.

Ritual dress is encouraged, but warmth is more important. What can you

wear over a warm coat or sweater?

Bring your bedding, blankets and pillow.

Bring musical instruments.

Bring flowers.

Bring cash if you plan to shop with vendors.

Bring a flash light.

Bring sun glasses.

Bring a camera.

Bring personal care items like asprin or feminine care products.

Bring a notebook to journal and a pen.

Yoga mat if you’re doing yoga in the mornings.